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This morning as I sit down to write, my mind goes a million directions. I think partly because we had the COVID visitor at our house for several weeks. It's caused me to pause and think more seriously about life. God has been gracious, and I feel I'm learning some marvelous things through recent down days. Was it fun being so sick? Definitely not! But, I can see now that there is a purpose in everything that comes into our lives. It's up to us to search that out and decide what to do with what we're seeing.
I realize that in talking about sickness, there have been so many who did not survive the recent illnesses surrounding us.For their loved ones, I am truly sorry, and I pray for you. For those who did survive, I wonder what the purpose was in all of it? Weren't we just going along in life so oblivious to the suffering of others? Didn't we have our own agenda all lined up? Didn't we simply take life for granted? Didn't we take God for granted? What's this life all about anyway? When all goes well, and according to our own planning, we believe we know. When all goes into chaos mode, we are often left floundering, unless…
Unless the Lord builds the house, we labor in vain, right? Suffering has an undeniable way of settling us down for a spell and causing us to evaluate our lives, doesn't it? We wonder why we do what we do, or why we haven't done otherwise. Fears about the future, regret over the past, and a restlessness of the soul can settle in. What is the answer to it all?
Dear soul, if you are yet on this earth, God has a perfect plan for your life! It will not be all glamorous, and the sooner we get a grip on that, the better! God's perfect plan often takes us down the path of suffering. Many have lost their faith in Him because of that. The world wants to paint a picture of God as the master genie who grants all our wishes. The faint of heart will lose out here. As any good father, our heavenly Father knows what we need, when we need it, and why. We must be faithful to simply follow, at all costs. It's in these times of hardship, ambiguity, and loss, that our faith in Him has the best opportunity to grow.
In recent days, we've all been spellbound to witness the love and acts of sacrificial giving going on in Florida right now. As sad as it is, and hard to see all the loss and suffering there due to hurricane Ian, there is still so much to rejoice in. We can see it in the faces of those who have lost everything they worked so hard for all their lives. We see hope. We see a unity in those who went through the catastrophe; a pulling together for the good of all. I have yet to hear one person say, "Why did God allow this?" Instead, there's the common thread of love and goodwill towards all, regardless of race, financial status, or political affiliation. At the foot of the cross, where each of us will one day give account for the lives we have lived, the ground is level and God loves and cares for each of us. So then, we could say that even amidst so much pain and suffering, we see the goodness of God all around us. We must acknowledge that He is sovereign and we can trust His wisdom. We can testify that truly "All things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purposes." Often, it's not until so much later that we can see how He was at work in our lives to bring that to fruition. It's called "faith", believing for what we cannot yet see. HIS purpose for us needs to be OUR purpose. Only in finding HIS will, will we live at peace in this world.
This morning, I'm asking myself, "What is my purpose here on this earth for the remainder of my time here?" First Corinthians 9:26 tells me, "So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadow boxing." Running with purpose in every step will mean that each and every day, I'll need to ask God, "Lord, how can I show the world who YOU are today? Where do you want me to sprinkle YOUR love today? Who needs YOUR touch today, Lord?"
During the weeks that I had covid, I had a lot of time to think. What I concluded is that life is precious but fleeting. Each and every day needs to count for eternity and for the soul of someone who doesn't know God. My life is not about me. If not for the grace of God, I would have perished long ago. The fact that I'm still here is a constant reminder that there is much work to do yet for the Kingdom.
Friends, don't make it hard for yourselves. Just do the next thing in front of you. God places each of us in situations that He knows will give us a perfect opportunity to be HIS witness to a lost world. Don't waste another day waiting on the big thing you may believe He has for you. Start where you are! Start with a cup of coffee with a lonely soul. Take a meal to a hurting friend, or better yet, a stranger. Aren't strangers merely friends we haven't met yet? Send that card of encouragement you've been meaning to send. Be HIS hands and feet to those who are perishing. While hurricanes can claim the physical body, only failure to accept Jesus as Savior will claim a soul. Start where you are. Do what you can. Pray about it all, and watch God get the glory as lives are transformed. God IS good, even in suffering. And He is closest to those who see their need for Him. What is YOUR purpose yet in the time you have left on this earth? Why not ask God right now? While illness is often a time for us to reflect, it doesn't really take a virus to make us wake up and realize why we are here. May God bless you as you reach out to Him, seeking His will for your life. And prayers for the courage to obey Him, following wherever His path leads you.
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Debby Renninger is a freelance writer and inspirational speaker. She holds a Bible study in her home in McVeytown, where seeking women are always welcome. She may be reached at (717) 250-7086 for speaking engagements.