To Know the Joys and Trials of Life

We have had several events of life come our way during the past two weeks. God has used these event to effect change not only in our lives, but in the lives of many people. God does not work in only one dimension, but in many dimensions through seemingly unrelated events. I t is quite probable that many of these events and how they have worked in the lives of us and so many others will remain a mystery to us this side of eternity.

The first event I will bring up is the baptism of my oldest son, Samuel. He came to us wanting to be baptized (he had made a profession of faith as a child many years earlier). Over the past few months I had noticed several changes in his character. God had done something new in his life, so he requested for a public baptism (as well as asking that I preform the baptism). It was with great joy we set about planning this event at a local lake by the public park. It was here in the presence of many fellow believers from our small congregation along with an on looking world that Samuel and another young man were baptized by their earthly fathers while announcing to all their belief and obedience to the Heavenly Father. This time was followed by a sweet fellowship. We broke bread together, ate, shared our faith with one another, and sang praises to our God. It just seemed to be the way ought to be for the body of believers.

John14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

The next event seemed to flow naturally into our lives. We were contacted by some dear friends in California about a downs baby that was in need of an adoptive home. For many years now we have had on our hearts to do something in the area of adoption. This was seemingly laid right in our hands. I knew that walking through this door could open us up for disappointment and hurt, but there was really no question - it was our heart to obey. We were and are now just as confident that God is completely in control. He has a purpose for everything He brings into our lives. This particular child was not to be ours. The birth mother selected another family to receive the child. I will freely admit that I do not understand the way things worked out. I have even questioned myself...did I truly understand God's leading correctly. In the end I know that God lead us this way - my obedience is required no matter the cost. The question is are we willing to follow God no matter the hurt, disappointment, confusion, persecution. Willingly obey Him. For this I know whatever comes into my life is for my good and God's glory.

Psalm 39:4 "LORD, make me to know my end And what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am. 5 "Behold, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my lifetime as nothing in Your sight; Surely every man at his best is a mere breath. Selah. 6 "Surely every man walks about as a phantom; Surely they make an uproar for nothing; He amasses riches and does not know who will gather them.

Well God has a way of putting my disappointment and questions back into perspective. I was feeling down and confused. What was wrong in my life? What was the purpose? Did I clearly understand the Lord. All of these questions quickly went by the wayside as I found out that one out of our small body of believers, a young brother of a dear friend, had died in a single vehicle accident. A mother had lost a son. Several brothers had lost one of their own. Still others had lost a dear friend. But knowing that this young man was a believer brings a sense of joy and peace that mingles with our sorrow. We have no way of knowing the purpose of God in this death. We do not know the impact and change that may be wrought in the lives of others because of it. But again we can trust in the Lord in all things. What the world may see as a senseless waste God will turn into something that will last through out all eternity.

Just in case that wasn't enough, another dear family was touched by a death. They lost an unborn child after knowing and preparing for the child for 17 weeks. They already have several children, so some may think that this is not very significant. Oh how wrong that assumption would be. Every child is a special blessing from the Lord. No matter how many there are - there is room for another. Again we know that God has a purpose that is for their good in all of this even if we can't see it now.

What does all of this really mean?

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. 6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light And your judgment as the noonday. 7 Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. 8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing. 9 For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.

First know that nothing that has happened has taken God by surprise. The only reason any of us have breath in our bodies right this moment is that it has so pleased the Father to make it so. Scripture is so clear about how very short our life span is ion earth. What are you doing with the life God has entrusted to you? You are accountable to Him for what you have lived for. Our purpose was to bring glory to God. This is what we were designed to do. God calls each of us to obey Him and Him alone. Obedience is synonymous with faith and belief. You cannot have one without the other. God gives us the grace and power to obey what He has commanded us to do. Would you take time to consider your life? In fact it is really not yours at all. It is merely borrowed. You one day will have to give an account to the One who owns that life. This life offers a fleeting reward and pleasure. If you seek and follow after the world - you will have obtained all of your reward which will bring forth death for all eternity. Instead choose life. Humble yourself and follow God. Find life in Christ. Be conformed into His image by His power.

May the Lord open up all of our eyes to the brevity of life, our accountability to a sovereign God. Choose life and not death.

1 Corinthians 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God.