Good Things

How many times have you heard or even said, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28)? We usually paraphrase it something like, “God can take anything bad and use it for good,” or something like that. He can. I do not believe God causes bad things to happen to you so that He can make them good. Meaning, God does not cause you to get injured in a car accident and lose a leg just so that you can invent an amazing new type of prosthesis. But, He can and will use difficult events to His glory. God used Adam and Eve’s disobedience as an opportunity to show us that we have freewill, and that He loves us unconditionally in sending His Son to die for our sins. God used that bad event for good. To show us that we too will make mistakes. We too will disobey, but His mercy, grace, and forgiveness is available to all who seek it through Jesus Christ. He used the opportunity to show us that nothing we do can separate us from His love.

During this pandemic quarantine, I hope you have been open to whatever God is revealing to you as well. It is not always as dramatic as Adam and Eve, but have you started cooking at home more? Perhaps you never knew how much fun it could be or how good you are at it? Think of all the money you could save going forward if you do not go out to eat as much. That’s a good thing. Have you been forced to figure out how to use more technology? I now know how to do Facebook Live and share a post. Hey, for a guy who held on to his 8-track tapes way beyond when he should have, this is progress. Maybe you were also not a big technology fan but had to learn how to access the Sunday service on scchartford.org or join us here for Food For Thought or 4:00 pm prayer or Bible Study tonight at 6:30 pm. Have you been talking more often to your older parents? Checking in to see how they are doing. They really love hearing from you. Are you spending more time with your family as a family. Playing board games. Going for walks. Making puzzles. Maybe you are making masks for those who need them. Do you have a new appreciation for grocery clerks?           

If you thought about it, I will bet there are a number of things you have discovered that are a blessing. I have learned how to spell “quarantine.” Most of them would probably not have happened without a Covid quarantine. God can use bad things for good. 

----------------------------------------

We are taking prayer requests now. Email your requests to southchurchprayer@gmail.com. We will lift them up every weekday at 4:00 pm on Facebook Live.