Reflection 2: Confidence In Our Calling

Reflections on 6/15/10 from Steward Leader pp. 115-118

The author makes a statement on page 116 that we know to be inherently true and yet we wrestle to live with the truthfulness of the statement, “There is no waste in God’s kingdom. Our times of preparation , of reflection and of waiting are as dear to God and his purposes for us as our times of great accomplishment and productivity.” Romans 8:28 is clear, all things work together for good for them that love God and are called according to His purpose (my slight paraphrase). I have preached sermons from this text. I have taught others the reality of this text, but it is still a struggle when in our times of waiting on God it seems that we are not making progress, we are not growing, we are not productive, we are not learning, etc.

Especially do we feel that God has written a useless storyline when we look in the mirror of self-reflection spoken of on page 117 and it appears that we have made little to no spiritual growth. But this reminder on page 116 that “every word, every event is part of the unfolding story. It all has meaning, and often the less dramatic moments carry the greatest weight. In our lives, God is at work in every moment.”

I am encouraged once again by the story of Jacob in Genesis 42 upon coming to the conclusion that Benjamin must be sent to Egypt in order for the family to survive and he makes the statement that I have felt at times in verse 36, “all these things are against me.” And from Jacob’s perspective, he says “Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away.” And yet from God’s perspective, Joseph is second ruler in Egypt, Simeon will be restored, Benjamin will not only return safely, but will return with the news that Joseph is alive. It is only because we do not know the whole story that we feel that “all these things are against us.” But in the economy of God’s time He will reveal to us what the story line was behind every heartache, every hurt, every disappointment, and every trial.

One day, I hope soon, we will be able to say with Jacob after hearing that Joseph is alive, “it is enough.” When we finally see the tapestry that God has made out of our lives, taking the disparate and seemingly disjointed experiences of our lives and bringing about our salvation, we will say, “it is enough.” EGW says something along these lines, that when we review our lives with Jesus in heaven, we will say we would not have had it any other way. That is a statement that I quote in faith. Today, I will tell you how I would want it another way. But by faith I claim the promise that these momentary, light afflictions work for us a far greater weight of glory.