by Marilyn Ehle
“This happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” John 9:3
When walking through the deep difficulties of life, we quote the familiar words, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” Yet, there can be a certain sadness in our voices as we speak aloud what we believe yet find so difficult to experience. We trust God’s love but we wish he would display it in a more comfortable fashion. We know he is good, but we wonder!
One day in their travels Jesus and his disciples encountered a man blind from birth, and a natural question arose because in that culture, disease was often seen as the result of someone’s sin. “Who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind? ” If we deeply ponder Jesus’ response. I wonder how our attitudes about our own difficulties might be revolutionized: “this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.”
Not only does God want to work for our good as we experience sorrow, sickness and suffering, but he has an even grander plan in mind. As we respond in trust during these times, the miraculous work of God can be displayed.
Especially as we enter Advent season, our hearts turn to that humble barn in a city filled with boisterous people. Who knew that in that manger something so earth shattering was about to occur? The grand and glorious work of God was about to be displayed, but it could only happen because Jesus ‘did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing and became obedient.” And thus was the work of God displayed in his life.
Lord, I concede that often when I quote, ”in all things God works for the good of those who love him,” I say it with a certain reluctance. Help me see, and believe, that there are at least two plans in motion: one that I might become more like Christ, and another that you will be seen in all your magnificence.
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