His Purpose

We had a special speaker at our church this past weekend. He is a handsome, articulate twenty-four year old with a wonderful sense of humor and a powerful message. Over twelve thousand people attended the four services listening with laughter and tears to this passionate young man. He gave the simple message of God’s love for us and about living victoriously in spite of difficult circumstances. When he finished speaking, the aisles were crowded with people going forward for salvation and recommitment to Christ. Over four hundred people accepted, by faith, Jesus as Lord and Savior. It was a message we have all heard before, but Nick is uniquely qualified to deliver it for you see Nick was born without any limbs.

This bright, personable young man has every reason to be bitter and angry over the circumstances in his life. Instead he exhibits a genuine joy that simply takes your breath away. He said that there are two things every single one of us needs to know: that we are loved, and that everything is going to be all right. We find both of those things in Jesus Christ.

Indeed we are loved, but as Nick said, God is more interested in changing our hearts than in changing our circumstances. His perfect love sees what is truly best for us and that is how He orders our lives. I think it is safe to say that none of us is immune to suffering. It comes to all of us in one form or another. If we are convinced that God is all that He has said He is, we can trust Him with even our deepest hurts. Nothing will come to us that does not first pass through His loving hands. Nick said, “When I am free from the bondage of my circumstances, I am victorious.” My circumstances may not change, but I can find peace in the midst of them when I trust.

Romans 8:28 is a verse we all seem to quote when we think about suffering and difficult circumstances. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Nick helped me to see it in a whole new light. His emphasis was on the words “His purpose”. God is working all things together – with His purpose for our lives in mind.

With stunning honesty Nick said that were someone to offer him a pill that, with no side affects, would cause him to have arms and legs just seconds after taking it he would refuse! He said that God’s purpose is being fulfilled in his life in ways he could never have imagined. He preaches all over the world, welcomed in places that no other Christian speaker has ever been permitted to preach the word. God is using him to reach lives that would otherwise never hear the good news of salvation. It is his uniqueness that God is using for his purpose right now.

Is there purpose in my circumstances? If I am a child of God, the answer must be yes. My prayers for help may not be answered in exactly the way or in the time frame I have in mind. That doesn’t mean God has forgotten me or just doesn’t care. He has a wonderful purpose in mind. He has said it will all work together for good. Do I really believe that? If I do, I can have peace in the midst of pain and suffering. God may change my circumstances in exactly the way I have prayed He would, or He may do something else entirely. Whatever He chooses, I can trust the love that sent His only Son to die for me.

I have been in circumstances where I thought I had been abandoned; where I thought there could never be joy again. When I finally ran back to the Lord and yielded to His sovereignty in my life; when I told Him I loved Him enough to trust Him to work all things together for my good – I received His peace that passes understanding. The comfort that comes with knowing all is well because all is in His hands is inexpressibly sweet. And although the circumstances have not changed yet, there is joy!

Enjoyed the Post? Share...

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Linkedin

email

Digg

Reddit

• ← To Catch a Hummingbird…..and to find faith.
• Don’t Get Bullied →