~By Debbie Christopher
Recently, our pastor was away leading a missions’ trip, and one of our associates presented the Sunday morning message. The title of his message was ‘Trusting God when it doesn’t Make Sense.’ He used Joseph, Paul, and Jesus as examples of accomplishing this ‘difficult feat’.
Pastor Sandy used a verse in Philippians for his Paul example to make the point that things are not always as they appear. One word in this verse really stood out to me as the key word for this sermon.
One reason it grabbed my attention was that it truly is a key word to consider when things don’t make sense. The other reason was that our youngest grand uses this word frequently with a unique emphasis. As Pastor Sandy read the verse, I could ‘hear’ our 8 year old grandson ‘say’ the verse loud and clear! Philippians 1:12 (&13) became a ‘new verse’ and is a perfect fit for trusting God when things don’t make sense.
Paul’s imprisonment may not have ‘made sense’, but, he confidently declared:‘Actually…’
“Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually resulted in the advance of the gospel,”
Philippians 1:12 HCSB
Have you had any of these thoughts? I think we all have at one time or another.
· Head-scratching circumstances that don’t make sense?
· Does it seem like God has neglected you?
· “Hello, God…are You there?”
· “God, I don’t get it!!!”
· “Romans 8 says all things work together for good….I don’t see this as good!”
Well, ACTUALLY…
There is a popular meme---and a song--- that states, “When it seems like things are falling apart, things could ACTUALLY be falling into place.”
Life circumstances not making sense? I encourage you to stop and say, ‘actually’—with our grandson’s special emphasis…..and keep trusting.
Thanks, Pastor Sandy!
~Debbie
That sounds like it was a neat message to hear! Good summary...