This week my husband and I were to spend a long-awaited few days basking in the sun and enjoying God’s creation at Virginia Beach. Reservations had been made months ago. Schedules were cleared and, with a bit of trepidation, we packed our bags while keeping an eye on Florence. I also prayed. We serve a powerful God. Couldn’t He just blow from the west and steer that swirling knot of horror away from the coast? Of course, He could! If He could turn the sundial back ten degrees for Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:10-11), He could certainly move a bunch of clouds!
He didn’t. As time moved on, so did our plans. My heart sank as the visions of warmth and sun slowly puddled at my feet! We fought discouragement and confusion. What should we do? We could just cancel the whole thing, but we both felt a great need ( I was going to say, ‘desperate’ but the poor folks that are in the path of Florence have the right to use that word, not me!) to have some downtime.
I started searching the internet from Maine to D.C. struggling to keep my attitude right. After all…
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
we quote Romans 8:28, but do we really believe it? Somewhere in all the confusion and frustration, I discovered a great truth:
LIVING OUR FAITH AND BELIEVING GOD’S WORD ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS!
I’d say that most born-again believers would say they believe that God will work all things together for good, but what happens when it goes from a favorite Bible verse to reality? Life is falling apart and we can’t catch all the pieces! How can this be good? What is God doing? Can I know what He’s doing? Can I understand? CAN I TRUST HIM? Folks, that’s what it all boils down to—can I trust God?
Can I trust God? Can I trust God? Can I trust the One who…
- Created everything I see
- Controls every aspect of my life
- Knows the beginning from the end
- Sees me—all of me, all the time
- Knows me and still loves me
- Loves me so much that He
- Allowed Himself as Son to come to this world
- Live here in worse conditions than most of us could ever imagine
- Was rejected by His own chosen people
- Suffered the pains of the cross and the agony of sin for ME!!!
Can I trust Him? I’m ashamed to even type those words!
And today, as I sit in this cozy spot in Lancaster, PA enjoying comfort and beautiful surroundings, rest and relaxation (and lots of good food!) I am ashamed of my sin of forgetfulness and unbelief!
And I’m reminded of a poem that I wrote a while back about Martha’s similar plight. Take a look, and the next time you are called upon by our dear heavenly Father to LIVE your faith, remember Who He is and that you are not facing those difficult realities alone! Praise God, don’t “keep on swimming,” but pull up the oars and let Him drive!
Beyond Common Sense 