All #ourCOG News 5.0
Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
―Luke 10:31
My dear VPG, something you already know, but maybe haven’t given a lot of thought to, is that things happen…and they are not always deserved or fair.
We see this illustrated in Jesus’s famous story of the Good Samaritan.
In this story, Jesus describes a man who took a trip and “fell” among thieves.
When he kissed his wife goodbye that morning he was planning on making a trip and arriving at his destination, not being robbed and beaten and left for dead. But things happen.
There is nothing that Jesus said that suggests that he deserved it, he was just going about his business and, wham!, trouble struck.
And to make matters worse, “by chance” a certain priest came by who was a sorry fellow—not willing to live up to his calling. Instead, the priest ignores him and walks right by him leaving him in his misery. (This is called a streak of bad luck!)
Life will be full of these “by chance” moments. Sometimes the ball bounces towards us and sometime it bounces away from us like a squirrel crossing the street.
This is one of those mysteries of life. The Bible clearly teaches that God is sovereign and rules all, but on the other hand it appears that God gives a lot of latitude for life to just happen and that means it just happens to not always go the way we want it to!
So what are we to do?
First, you must not take too much credit when fortune smiles on you. Sure you worked hard and have made sacrifices. But remember this, on the same day you were born another little baby girl was born somewhere else in the world in the midst of a war zone of poverty and violence. She hardly had a chance even if she had worked hard and lived right. Odds are she’s probably not even alive today. Fair? Of course not, but that is how life is.
Therefore, with all your many opportunities and blessings, be thankful and humbly enjoy them, but never take too much credit and never feel superior to others.
And also do this: Leverage your blessings and successes to serve and help others are who are not as fortunate.
Second, when fortune frowns on you don’t overreact. Don’t wave your fist with anger at God or be a drama queen making a big scene. Hey, life happens. Take your medicine, show people how to do life in the good and bad times. Be inspiring. Grow through your troubles. Don’t get bitter, get better. Remember, as bad as things are, there are many others who have it worse. Why should you be making a fuss?
And finally I encourage you to trust God. In his sovereignty he created the world to largely run on its own. We call these the laws of physics or the laws of nature. In other words, God lets the rain fall on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45). But in the end, God’s sovereignty wins. He will make all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
Either that’s true or it’s not…that’s where faith matters: choose to believe it! Choose to put your trust in God.
And there’s this: Christianity comes with scars. The faith handed down to you is not some feel-good, let’s-all-be-happy, nothing-bad-happens-to-good people religion. Christianity acknowledges the struggles and unfairness of life and shows the One we worship leading the way to the promised land with scars in his hands and side and feet.
This faith we share is a tough faith, a solid faith, a faith that has been tested and found sufficient, a faith that will get you through those times when the cosmic coin flip doesn’t seem to go your way.
All that to say, no matter what happens, you’re going to make.
Loving you always, through the good times and bad, Papa
Comments