Struggling with Scripture #2: Romans 8:28

In my last post, I shared my perspective of life, particularly what we as Christians have control of in life - our own actions, whether initiating or reacting.  I also stated that I believe the only one who has the world "in hand" is God.  However, I do not mean that I think God controls everyone like a master puppeteer, or that God controls everything that happens in the world.  No, God allows life to happen, acting and reacting to events and free will in a similar fashion that humans do.  The question I then ask is this:  "How do I have hope in hopeless situations?  Will life get any better if God isn't controlling what's going to happen next?!"

Romans 8:28 is one answer to that question, but is also a passage of Scripture I struggle with deeply.  Romans 8:28 states, as a matter of fact, that "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose" (NRSV).  What does this mean?  To me, it means that all things, good or bad, normal or weird, splendid or terrible, will somehow accomplish God's purposes for good for those who love God...whether it's immediate, ten years down the road, or in eternity. 

But how can I say this? How can I believe that all things will work together for good when someone's child dies?  When a grandparent passes away?  When cancer begins to eat at the body?  When someone is left naked and beaten in a strange place, being kidnapped, raped, and sold into child slavery?  How can these things ever work together for good for those who love God?

We know that God has the world in hand; though God does not cause evil things to happen to people that God can still weave together a beautiful life tapestry out of those evil things for those who love God.  Sometimes, when the tapestry is our lives, we may not think it's beautiful - ever.  We may struggle with what happens to us or what we have done for our entire lives.  Yet, all lives lived with God in love are beautiful...and somehow God will work the evil strands of our tapestries into one marvelous work.  How?  I cannot say...but I hope and trust in God.

"Lord, may I hope and trust in you, even when evil things happen, because I know all things work together for good for those who love God...somehow.  May I trust in you."

Theology for Living #1: Choice

I have an odd habit of naming different periods in my life under three varying labels: I am "In Control" or life is "Spinning Out of Control" or I have "Lost Control."   These three categories have many synonymous phrases which help illuminate them, such as "life is going well" or "I need to get a grip" or  "Life is falling down around me." 

Yet, as a Christian, I proclaim that all of these labels and categories are simply faulty ways of looking at the world.  In fact, God is the only one who has the world in hand, and even then not every molecule is controlled by God!  Life, for the most part, just happens...for better or for worse.  Car batteries die, jobs are lost, jobs are gained, cars are fixed.  Relationships are made, relationships are broken, the sun goes up, and the sun goes down.

Sometimes we are forced into terrible predicaments brought on by other humans or nature - such as being raped, or being beaten to a pulp, or being very sick.  Other times, life goes on "as normal" until an amazing, or a horrendous, event turns our lives around and reshapes our perspectives and ways of thinking.  Most of life...simply happens without us asking for it to happen, without us liking what happens, and with us praying for life to change.

We, as Christians, are not in control of life.  So what are we in control of? What can we gain control of?  The answer is this: ourselves.  We control how we act in life and how we respond to life when life happens to us.  One day, we will be held accountable for every choice we make and action we take.  There isn't always one right answer, but there is always one right question: "Am I acting as Christ Himself would act?"

Let's take a moment together and breathe...breathe a deep breath before we speak a word, take an action, or respond to a situation.  Let's think about what Christ would do...for ultimately we cannot control what life does or brings to us, but we can choice how we will act and respond in the midst of those situations.

"Lord, help me surrender to your will, so that I may act and respond like you."