I am itching to share every detail of what I am witnessing right now, but to protect those involved, I will keep this intentionally vague. Someone I know, let’s call him PotatoHead, is going through an extraordinarily difficult season. From the outside, it looks bleak and heartbreaking: the kind of situation that makes you want to ask, “Why did God abandon him?”
“…The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.”
-2 Chronicles 15:2
And there it is. PotatoHead has been resisting God, believing that being a good person is all there is to it. I agree that he is a good man, but all of us need God. Last evening, things unraveled further for PotatoHead. While listening to the details of his situation, I caught glimpses of God quietly at work in his life. I stepped back from the epicenter of pain and looked at what was surrounding him.
His local church wants to give him a free truck to help him get back on his feet. The volunteer organization he is working with is otherwise non-Christian, yet they signed up to support a Christian event. A friend is walking him through a faith-based financial course rooted in Scripture. And on top of all that, a friend sent him money with gentle nudges to return to church. What does all of this add up to? Enormous arrows pointing straight to God, beckoning PotatoHead to come back.
“Fear not, for I am with you;
-Isaiah 41:10
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’“
God is working to bring PotatoHead back into His safe and loving embrace. He never gives up on us, even when we give up on Him. How great is His love for us! Stop and look at the whole picture, and you will see Him working miracles around you to keep you safe and loved.
‘Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
-Jeremiah 31:3
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.‘
Dear God,
Thank You for being constant in Your love for us. We do not deserve it but You are there for us anyway, keeping us safe and walking alongside us. I pray that You give me the goodness to see the big picture and appreciate all You do for me. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.