Mr Lucado begins this very challenging chapter 12 titled “My Struggles Are About Him,” with a heart wrenching story about two devoted missionaries. Their story, and perhaps ours, leaves us wondering, “what is God doing?” The authors says what we might be thinking, “Maybe God messed up. Cancer cells crept into your DNA when he wasn’t looking. He was too occupied with the tornado in Kansas that he forgot the famine in Uganda. He tried to change the stubborn streak in your spouse, but just couldn’t get him to budge.” (p120) Then he quickly adds how there is absolutely no evidence in all of Scripture that would even remotely make us think God is not in charge and fully capable of handling every detail of our lives. He can make everything go smoothly, but He doesn’t…and as hard as this is to understand, it is for His Glory and our benefit.
First, when we continually make poor choices, what would stop us from persisting if God did not allow us to reap the negative consequences? Second, even those repercussions are controlled by God so that we do not feel the full measure of them. Lastly, whether the suffering comes directly from our wrong choices or whether we have been diligent to be obedient, and suffering comes anyway, they all have one major purpose, to bring God Glory. Since this is what we were created for, in an unexpected way, suffering can help our lives become more fulfilling.
Mr Lucado points us to the story in the Bible of the man on the side of the road who was blind from birth. As is our fallen human nature, the disciples are looking for someone to blame and ask Jesus, “‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.’” (Jn 9:1-3) I hope you are familiar with this great event in the Gospel, but if you are not, Spoiler Alert: Jesus heals this man and God does get the Glory!
Then Mr Lucado turns to Mary, Martha and Lazarus. That too is a powerful story of, not only healing, but of being raised from the prison of death. Neither of these men had made any poor choices, but rather, God allowed their suffering for His Glory. “Blindness displays the works of Christ? Death glorifies the power of Christ? How can this be?” (p124) By pointing you and me upwards to the God Who can still create miracles…and the greatest of these miracles is our Salvation. Suffering has a very powerful way of stopping us in our tracks and helping us seek and focus on our Creator. For me, this chapter hits home like nothing else…
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
April: Living the Resurrected Life: “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” by Dr Charles Stanley
May: My Spiritual Mom: “Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits” by Joyce Meyer
June: Spiritual Dad: “It’s Not About Me- Rescue from the Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy” by Max Lucado
<>< Peace, Diane
