When I was in 5th grade, every day at school, my home room teacher would read the books, The Series of Unfortunate Events, to us. I would sit gripping the edge of my seat, eyes-wide, listening to these horrific events that took place in the lives of these poor little orphan kids. However, my teacher would make sure that she would always pause at a place where we would know the kids were safe, and no longer in harm's way. The next day, we would continue with the journey of these "unfortunate events" but somehow, regardless of the story’s content, the chapter always ended on a positive note.
When life knocks us down and we take a blow for it, it seems to feel a lot like this book. However, in every season, we realize that there is a hurdle to overcome, a time to cherish all the goodness we can reap from it, and a lesson to be learned to prepare us for the next. Sometimes, it takes a little hindsight to get all that we need to get out of a season. Other times, the season just seems to be an ongoing recurrent cycle.
In the same way, I often think about those books, and remember that the story does not end there. In fact, these kids become more daring, courageous, and braver with every battle they face. While I certainly do not believe that the life of a Christian must look like a cycle of struggle and pain, I do believe that the enemy is after God's Kingdom. Hence, he causes tension and harm in the lives of God's children. That being said, God is also a God of signs, wonders, miracles, and provision in every way. He provides comfort to those who are heartbroken, strength to the weak, and courage to those who need it.
Even when we want to be self-sufficient, good faith-warrior Christians, there are times when we do not need to do all the fighting. This can be such a difficult concept because I have tried to practice all the theology I have learned over my years to get myself to the place that I would like to be. Unfortunately, that might not be what God requires. Sometimes, we just need to be still, be silent, and let God. For a perfectionist like me, this is incredibly difficult, but even still, this is the will of God. Allowing God to make all directions and paths clear in our lives looks like allowing God to determine the timing of it all, as well.
The good news is that our story does not end here. God is not done with us... in fact, He only has the best awaiting us. This means we do not lose hope and do not give in to the negative thought patterns of the enemy. He does not get to win the battle that God already paid the price for.
Here is where we are at complete childlike faith. Trusting in Him completely - to do as He pleases and all we do it wait for Him to complete writing our story. This week, let us be as intentional as we can in handing over our trust to Him. He writes our stories better than we could ourselves. Just as a baby trusts her daddy to carry her to her best course of life. God, Our Father, knows our destiny, our purpose, and is carrying us for His glory.
Matthew 18: 1-5
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.