"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." ~ Romans 8:28.
This is a verse that Christians have read many times, but do we really, truly believe it? Can God really use everything in our lives to work out his good? I would like to share with you something that happened to me today to show that God really does work ALL things together for His good!
I woke up this morning with great anticipation for the day. I was going to take my US History 2 CLEP test today, and was so excited to be finished with it. I started the day off with a wonderful time in the Word, and talking to God. After getting ready for the day, I spent time doing some last minute studying before I was supposed to leave to go take my test at 1. That is when it all started to change. My parents were going this afternoon to visit a friend of mine in the hospital who had surgery late last night to remove her appendix. I needed to go to my test around the same time. Things did not work out like I had hoped, and I had to wait until my parents got home from the hospital before going to take my test.
Shortly before my parents arrived home, my mother called and informed me that I was not going by myself, but that everyone was going, and they would drop me off at the school. This was the first point of pressure applied to me. Then people were a little slower at getting in the car than I would have liked them to be. Second pressure point. Then after FINALLY leaving, we were not even five minutes from the house, and my Dad called saying that he needed us to turn around and come get something before going to church. Third pressure point. Then I realized what time we were going to be at the school for me to take my test, and what time I would be finished, and that added the fourth pressure point, because I realized it was going to make me VERY late for teaching piano lessons this evening. All this pressure was building up, and I decided that I was just ready to quit. My mom told me that since I was feeling stressed out, maybe I should put off the test 'till the next day. But I was determined to take it today.
Thankfully I have a very encouraging mother who kept me going. I finally decided to cancel piano lessons, and thankfully the mom of my students (also a good friend of mine) was very understanding. She even prayed with me over the phone that my stress would be relieved. I then spent a little while crying which is the best way for me to relieve stress. Then my mom did her best to make me laugh and remove any stress.
When I arrived at the school, I was ready to take my test. As they were setting up the test on the computer for me, I asked them not to put me on computer 10, because I always got cold sitting there. So they put me on computer 1. 1/3 of the way through my test...the computer freezes. I thought, "Oh great, I knew something else wrong had to happen." I then prayed earnestly that God would fix the computer, and unfreeze it. But He didn't. After five minutes of the computer being frozen, I told the test administers that it was frozen. They spent about 30-35 minutes trying to fix the computer, and then they decided to call tech support. Well guess what? Tech support had left five minutes ago! Great...
So, the main lady in charge told me to come back in the morning to take my test, and hopefully they could save my test so I could start where I left off. I left the testing center, went outside, and called my sister-in-law, Sophia, to come pick me up. While I waited, I sat down on a bench to read a book. Across the pavement from me, I saw a young man sitting on a bench with his backpack, waiting for the bus. I instantly felt the Holy Spirit speak to me saying that I should go speak to that young man, and witness to him. At first I argued with the Holy Spirit, "But, this is awkward, God. I'm a girl here by myself, and it's just him. Well, maybe I'll do it." I tried to read, but couldn't read with this voice speaking in my head. So I finally got up, and nonchalantly paced back and forth, working my way to the other side of the pavement. He then got up to look around the corner to see if his bus was coming. As he walked back towards his bench, I said "You waiting for your ride too?" "Yeah, I missed my bus earlier" he said. I then took my Mark Cahill tract
One second after you...and handed it to him saying "Well, here's something good for you to read while you're waiting." "Thanks" he said, as he flipped through the booklet. He read the title aloud and then said "What is it about?" "It tells you how you can get to heaven. Do you know how to get to heaven?" I asked. "Well, I think you have to be good, and do good stuff...but there's no hope for me. I have done so many bad things, and I really regret those bad things. I can never be redeemed from that" he said as he lowered his head. "Well, I have good news for you. God sent his only Son Jesus to die on the cross, and his shed blood is what redeems us, and gives us eternal life. We can't do anything to earn heaven. We have to accept the shed blood of Jesus. No matter how bad we are, Jesus' blood can redeem us. If you read that booklet, it will tell you the truth about how you can get to heaven." Just then, I saw Sophia arrive. "My ride is here now, so I have to go." He looked me in the eyes and said, "Thank you very much."
So, this has been really long, and I am amazed if you have even made it this far in the post. But I wanted to share every detail with you. If any of my circumstances would have been different, I would not have been there to share the gospel with this needy soul. If I had taken my test early in the day. If my computer had not frozen. If they had fixed my computer, and I was there later. If I had not been so determined to take the test today, instead of relenting to taking it tomorrow. Even if he had not missed his bus earlier! If anything had changed, I would not have been there to speak truth into this young man's life.
After I left, I heard the Holy Spirit speak to me and say, "See Faith? Everything I did today was so that you would be here at the right time, and in the right place to speak truth into his life. I am in control, and I work ALL things together for good." Wow! He is SO good to be able to use all these little annoyances, and stressful situations to work out His perfect plan. I am so thankful that He can see the bigger picture.
I know this has been SUPER long, but I pray it has been an encouragement to you. God is going to work everything out for good. You may not see the bigger picture until a week, a month, a year, or ten years from now. You may not even see it in this lifetime. I am so thankful that the Lord let me have a little glimpse today of His bigger picture. It gave me strength and encouragement. Well, God bless your week! Stay strong in Jesus!
Because of His blood,
Faith Christine
Galatians 2:20; 1 Corinthians 15:10
