Have you ever faced a time in your life where it felt like nothing seemed to be working in your favor? I have. In fact, I am walking through one right. I feel no matter how positive I try to be, no matter how many books I read, or people I try to connect with at the end of the day, I come up empty. I don’t understand why God allows situations I can’t control to leave me sucker-punched and struggling to breathe.
Although I’ve admittedly found myself in a state of self-pity and woe-is-me mentality, I know there is nothing I am facing that God is not using to prepare me for what lies ahead. The same God who created the stars and knows them by name created me and put thought into how to best prepare me for the purpose He has placed me here to fulfill.
On my wedding day, I made a vow to love “for better, or for worse” I could have never imagined, at the time, just how cruel life was going to actually get. I had no way of knowing what the future would hold for us, yet I vowed to never leave. I put my trust in the one I would be walking hand in hand with the rest of my life. I put blind faith into our future and said, “I do”.
Fast forward 15 years and then rewind slowly… I can see now how the most uncomfortable, painful moments ultimately brought us closer together. Our relationship could have just as easily been destroyed, had we decided to allow it. We’ve made hard decisions and had hard conversations. We’ve had good days and days we didn’t know if we would make it. Ultimately, we chose commitment to one another, over the convenience of walking away. The next time we faced something uncertain, we realized we were depending on the strength found in our last battle to get us through the next. We chose one another, over life’s circumstances.
“There are no strangers in foxholes.”
David Fuller
You’ve probably heard it said, “There are no atheists in foxholes”. There’s also no strangers. There’s something about fighting against the same enemy that creates genuine unity. It’s the only way to survive.
Our relationship with God is much the same. It’s easy to walk with a God who we believe to be someone who shields us from all of life’s hardships, but what about a God who promises to walk beside us despite them? Our view of God can get so twisted sometimes. Our attitudes are often “God if you will, I will.” If you’ll just turn my situation around, I’ll give my life to you. If you’ll just bless my finances, I’ll build you a church, if you’ll just give me this vehicle, I’ll use it for bus ministry, if you’ll give me this promotion, I’ll make it to church every Sunday, if you’ll just…
As if willingly placing Himself into our human reality, feeling what we feel, and ultimately dying in our place wasn’t enough for us to do anything He would ask of us. He is not just longing for a personal relationship, He is longing for companionship with His people. People who know and understand who He is, how He loves and the beauty of a life lived for His glory.
I can hear God saying, “If you will, I will” If you will take the dark places you’ve faced and use them to shine a light for those around you, I will turn your pain into purpose. If you will abandon all of your hopes and dreams and trade them for what I have designed for you, I will show you a future you could never have imagined. If you will bring your burdens and your cares and lay them at my feet, I will give you a peace that passes understanding. If you will step out in faith, I will prove my word. If you will bring your ashes, I will bring my beauty and we will make an exchange. If you will…
Regardless of uncertainties, or how far away God may seem, the truth is, He is walking beside us every step of the way. He has us where we are for a reason. He loves us for better or for worse. Reciprocating that kind of love is where our hope lies and our future is secure. We can find peace in knowing His strength is made perfect in our weakness and His love never fails.
Featured Photo by CMF Photography
Recent Comments