“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
Oh, I’ve wrestled over the years with this passage. All things? Really? What about those really awful things in my past? What about those huge disappointments and failures? What about my mistakes?
God never said all things were good. But He did say all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Take heart, my friend. God can take it all, all those seeds, and produce something beautiful for His purpose.
As I look back over my mistakes, my missed opportunities, my failures, I can see how these obstacles and opportunities have led me to seek God in ways I would not have had I not struggled. In depression, I learned to hear His voice – He is the Glory and the Lifter of our head. In loneliness, I learned He never leaves or forsakes us – I am never alone. In brokenness, I learned He can make us whole. In poverty, I learned He is all I need – He is our provision. In grief, I learned He is hope.
Surrender it all to Him. Give it to the only One who can transform those seeds into something beautiful. He can take it all and use it for His glory. Those things sent to destroy you become the ways God uses you to deliver others. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comforts, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Trust Him that the seeds of your glorious future have already been sown. He has a beautiful harvest about to come. He can take our ash heaps and bring forth the most glorious gardens. He can make all things work together for good if we but surrender it all to Him and His purpose.
Prayer for Today: Father, You are a master gardener. You can take all the seeds of my past and turn it into beautiful garden for Your glory. Lord, I surrender my past to You – the good and the bad, the happy and the sad. I place it all in Your hands. I ask You, Lord, to bring good out of it all. Use it for Your glory. I love You Lord! In Jesus name I pray, Amen!
