Not two days before the tragic day a tornado hit and devastated our home, I was walking in the field. Barefoot. Sun was slowly tucking itself in for the day. I went and sat under my favorite maple that had branches reaching for the ground. I said a prayer, thanking God for the little patch of heaven he had placed me in, for my family, and for life's simple goodness.
But isn't it ironic, that in the moment you are most peaceful and content with life, it seems God puts you to the flames again. I've come to see it as admitting we've grown stronger through his grace, we've proved we can withstand the next purging fire.
Yes, they have. Which is why the trials still come. To make us stronger. To make us tougher. The world doesn't see this. They ask "why would a loving God persecute his people?"
It is because I am loved that I am willing to walk through these trials. Because when all else fails, I will have One left who has unconditional love for me and who will uphold me. My own Creator and Father. And though he allows us to endure things we don't understand, it is done out of a heart of love. More love than our feeble thoughts of 'true love' can comprehend.
Because I'm here to say, God uses the strangest circumstances to bless us, to prosper our future.
Before the tornado, my father worked non-stop, sometimes multiple jobs to work on paying off a mountain of debt as well as buy groceries and pay bills. We had two house payments a month (rent and mortgage), and no house or property to call ours. Mom and dad had dreams to build. Plus our first home, a mobile home, was costing more to keep fixed up for renters than the payments made on it.
After the tornado, we are now debt free, own our beautiful dream home that sits on five acres all ours, on the same land we've called home for years. My dad works one, steady job without having to rush to deliver pizza or pull a crazy third shift. And better yet, the mobile home was blown away and is now, of course, paid for.
We couldn't see the bigger picture three years ago. But Christianity is about faith, not sight. We don't need proof of God's faithfulness.
Because God upholds his promises.
"So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:7I've learned one thing: This painful refinement will never stop. Our initial reaction is "why does God give his servants trials? Haven't they proven their faith and determination?"
Yes, they have. Which is why the trials still come. To make us stronger. To make us tougher. The world doesn't see this. They ask "why would a loving God persecute his people?"
It is because I am loved that I am willing to walk through these trials. Because when all else fails, I will have One left who has unconditional love for me and who will uphold me. My own Creator and Father. And though he allows us to endure things we don't understand, it is done out of a heart of love. More love than our feeble thoughts of 'true love' can comprehend.
Because I'm here to say, God uses the strangest circumstances to bless us, to prosper our future.
Before the tornado, my father worked non-stop, sometimes multiple jobs to work on paying off a mountain of debt as well as buy groceries and pay bills. We had two house payments a month (rent and mortgage), and no house or property to call ours. Mom and dad had dreams to build. Plus our first home, a mobile home, was costing more to keep fixed up for renters than the payments made on it.
After the tornado, we are now debt free, own our beautiful dream home that sits on five acres all ours, on the same land we've called home for years. My dad works one, steady job without having to rush to deliver pizza or pull a crazy third shift. And better yet, the mobile home was blown away and is now, of course, paid for.
We couldn't see the bigger picture three years ago. But Christianity is about faith, not sight. We don't need proof of God's faithfulness.
Because God upholds his promises.
