I wish I could write this post without feeling pressured by the intensity of the message I am about to communicate. I do not want to take away anything from the truth, nor do I want to spoil it with my humanness. God is good. God is good. God is good. People may be bad, but God is always good.
Romans 8:28 And we know in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.(NIV)
I did not want to start off 2014 with a preach, but I hope this will be received as a conversation packed with encouragement, to reignite the flame that burned so vivaciously in your heart. God is good, and I know that has been drilled into us since we started school. However it is easy to forget these clever one liners, especially after 20+ years of learning by burning. That huge mountain you are trying to climb, and that storm you are trying to rise above with all your might, are there to build into your character and make you a better person because truthfully, the mountain and the storm you will encounter next will be greater and nastier.
If you do not believe me, then Google Joseph (the one with the 11 brothers and a troublesome coat). Joseph was favoured by his father (bad move on the father's part) which incited jealousy in his brothers. Joseph's brothers were so enraged (pissed off) they threw him down a well and told their dad he was mauled by a pack of wolves (this is probably how the phrase "you're dead to me" originated). Although, his brothers did not abandon him entirely, they sold him to desert slave traders and he eventually became the servant of an Egyptian, Potiphar (I know, it is like Ben-Hur, only without chariot races and leprosy).
God's hand was upon Joseph's life, and although his brothers made poor decisions and caused him pain, God's perfect will prevailed. Joseph prospered in his work and was favoured by Potiphar, who trusted him with an authoritative role in his household. But people are bad, vile even. Potiphar's unfaithful wife (yes, the first desperate housewife recorded in history) made advances towards Joseph, and despite him doing the right thing and rejecting her, he lost his standing in Potiphar's household and became a prisoner (ever heard of the fury of a woman scorned?).
Do you see how the mountains became steeper and how the storms became less forgiving? People are bad, but God is good. In prison, Joseph had a chance to tap into the gifts with which God had blessed him. He could interpret dreams and this set him apart and bought him his freedom (it is like Prison Break, but no one has to die or be molested by a guy called T-Bag). His wisdom meant he would become an adviser to Pharaoh (not quite the CEO, but the COO).
Upon meeting with his brothers years later, Joseph himself said You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (Genesis 50:20 NIV) (Because at this stage, Joseph saved a nation from starvation Cc the United Nations, take a note from Joseph for that world hunger problem).
Those trials are exactly for that purpose, to equip you to solve greater problems that you will face in the future and to fulfil your destiny, with the knowledge you acquired by slaying those dragons. And even though those fire-breathers are merciless, the one who fans the flame in your heart is the author and finisher of our faith and He reigns despite the things man will do, the challenges of the circumstances you face or the restrictions of time. Because the consequences of whatever is happening, are greater than you realise.
And in the end, when you reflect on your journey, you will see, He was good all the time. (Exactly like Ben-Hur).
