Life brings periods of confusion quite naturally, but what happens when we drink confusion on purpose?
Lonnie had listened to church folks tell him how much God loved him. One day he acknowledged his sin, repented, and accepted Jesus as his Savior. But shortly thereafter, he was confused when, at a church business meeting, the church voted to excuse itself from a local men’s fellowship because churches populated by another race wanted to join. Didn’t God love all people? Lonnie thought so.
Garrett was confused too. He had accepted Christ when he was younger but had grown further away. He and his wife rarely attended church. His first marriage ended in divorce, and his current one was in trouble. Then his wife’s drinking problem led to a wreck that killed their youngest child. Couldn’t God have prevented this?
Carine had a heart for children’s ministry. When a new Vacation Bible School director brought in numerous children from the community, her heart was touched. She decided to begin a van ministry. Every Sunday, she picked up children and brought them to church. When teachers threatened to give up their classes, when no one would sit with the children, and when no one even attempted to speak to them, Carine was confused. Didn’t Jesus tell the little children to come to him?
David was also periodically confused. If God favored Israel, why did he occasionally let their enemies defeat them?
I, too, can throw my hat into the ring of confusion. God, if you love me, why the divorce, why the financial struggles, why the rebellious children, why the unemployment, why the layoff, why the betrayal, why the death, why the sickness, why the (you fill in the blank).
David found confidence amid his confusion. But you have raised a banner for those who fear you—a rallying point in the face of attack (Psalm 60:4). Whether it looked so or not, God was in charge and in control. What appeared as a mess to David wasn’t to God. What looked like indifference wasn’t indifference at all.
The only way we can walk through periods of confusion with our faith intact and our eyes looking upward and forward is to believe the same. God loves us and orders the steps of our lives—even when the evidence seems to point to the contrary.
Don’t let life’s confusing seasons dampen your faith in a loving God.
Father, when life gets confusing, strengthen my faith that you control the details and will orchestrate good from bad.
If you seek hope and healing because of hurts you have faced, then Hurt, Hope, and Healing is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.
No comments:
Post a Comment