FollowBy Larry Short
Lately I’ve been thinking about, and discussing, and quoting, Romans 8:28 a lot. As a result, it’s one of those key verses that I never intentionally memorized, but that I can now quote by heart:
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
The great thing about this verse is that it’s all God, and it’s one of those truths that really does require an investment of faith from us. In the face of seemingly impossible odds, we simply have to accept its truth on faith! God said it, and we have to either believe it—or not.
I think this was demonstrated dramatically during last week’s worship service, when Jacoby and Gretchen Miles shared their incredible journey. Many tears (mine included!) were shed.
I don’t know about you, but the thought of breaking my neck and being paralyzed is one of those things that is simply too horrible to fathom. Roger asked the question that has burned in my heart for years: How can we approach Jacoby and interact with her as we know we should, in light of her devastating disability? I’ve often thought about simply walking up and saying, “Hi Jacoby! I hope you know we care about and are praying for you . . .” But one of my fears is that my fear itself would show on my face and I wouldn’t be able to push back the dread (not at Jacoby—I think she’s beautiful and fantastic—but at the mere thought of her terrible paralysis) that has been for me a thing of nightmares.
And so I think it was very healthy and helpful for me to hear from her lips (and Gretchen’s) both their very transparent struggles to trust God and the victory that they have experienced as they have done so. It gives me hope that if I, too, were to experience such a dreadful event, God through His Holy Spirit would invade my heart (as He has Jacoby’s and her family’s) and, if I was willing, direct my gaze heavenward to our amazing eternal hope, giving me the strength to endure the lot that is mine today.
After Sunday, tears flowed anew when someone shared with me the thought that someday, either in this life or the next, we will see Jacoby dance again! But one thing we know today is that Jacoby and her family love God and are called according to His purpose, just as we are, and, therefore, even this time of trial must somehow be “one of those things” that is working together for good.
In the (far, far less significant) trials and tribulations that I have experienced in my own life, I have had the power of Romans 8:28 reinforced to me time and time again:
- When as a teen I had to move away from my schoolmates and the hometown I loved because of a threat against our family, only to discover (on visiting a new church) a beautiful and godly girl named Darlene.
- When as a businessman in my 20s a thief broke in and stole our equipment. Later he found Christ and turned himself in, and the insurance company (which had paid off the loss) sold the equipment back to me at a tenth of its value.
- When I later sold the business because of struggles beyond my control. God led me (grudgingly) back to World Vision after that, where He blessed and used me in ways I could never have imagined.
- When, a little over two years ago, I was laid off (after 24 years) from the organization I loved working for, only to be rehired a year later into a role that is a much better fit for me.
I realize that we often use Romans 8:28 in a seemingly trite way—“Chin up! The pain you’re experiencing is all for the good.” One woman asked me, “So how do you define the ‘good’ in this verse?” That coworker had experienced the incredibly painful murder of her grandmother and admitted she struggled with this verse.
I don’t want to imply by my examples above that the evil things that happen to us are always good for us! In fact, this verse doesn’t even say “work together for your good” or “our good”—it simply says, “work together for good.” The implication is that the ultimate good is the glory of God and His Kingdom. And hope tells us that even if we don’t see the good during our life on earth, someday, sitting around the table at the wedding feast of the Lamb, perhaps, all will become clear.
There’s a colleague at my new job whom I at first had some trouble getting along with. So rather than distance myself, I decided the Lord would have me reach out to him and try to build bridges. I spent some time with him hiking through the countryside near London, and I even took him and two of his kids camping in our RV two weekends ago! (Now THAT’S togetherness.) And now I am growing to appreciate his wisdom and friendship, despite our rough start.
We were talking about Romans 8:28 while walking through the rain forest, watching his kids delight in finding weird mushrooms. He brought up a favorite quote by C. S. Lewis (from “The Weight of Glory and Other Addresses”). At first I don’t think I really saw the connection, but the more I think about it, the more I do now:
It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.
Like that child making mud pies, my tendency is to throw a tantrum when my Father in Heaven says, “Hey, stop playing in that puddle. I have something far better for you over here.” Sometimes He does that through trials and tribulations. All I can see is what a lovely mud pie I have here. But if I am able to lift my eyes, in faith, there is an entire ocean waiting for me to take delight in!
On Monday morning, while hiking in the forest, I lost my wallet. I spent three hours looking for it and praying that I’d find it, all (seemingly) to no avail. Afterward I grumbled to the Lord: “How could losing my wallet possibly work out for good?! Think of all the time I’ll have to waste reapplying for permits and credit cards, etc.”
God’s reply? “Romans 8:28. Believe it.”
Sheesh. Okay, Lord, if You say so. I believe it.
(Stay tuned. I’ll let you know how it works out!)
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