We encounter trials, tribulations, hardships, and obstacles that do just not seem “fair”; these may be in relationships, events, finances, or health. We reflect back on the age old question, “Why does a ‘good’ God allow bad things to happen?” Let us consider for a moment, the life of the Apostle Paul. Paul was beaten, flogged, ship-wrecked & imprisoned on multiple occasions. All the while, Paul was confident, just as we can be confident, that God’s plan includes a personal mission for each of us.
First, let us deal with a distraction provided by “experts”:
The early church attributed 14 books of the New Testament to Paul – there are newer theological perspectives claiming only 7 were written by Paul, 1 was not, and 6 others were written by his followers after his death, using Paul’s name. For our purpose, this “update of historical belief” is a distraction of little value, since all of the 14 books were determined by the early church to be inspired by the Holy Spirit. So, what if even just one specific book was written by Paul’s disciples after his death? If these disciples grasped Paul’s message, and appropriated it with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to publish it under Paul’s name to address new situations emerging after Paul’s death – Well, that is a gift of God, and to treat that book as somehow “second-class or fake” would be, in my opinion, an insult to the Holy Spirit. So, the point: At least 4 of the “Pauline” books, indicate they were authored in prison, of those 2 are in that list of 7 that even revisionist theologians attribute to Paul.
It is doubtful that Paul “wanted” to be in prison, any more than we would want to be in prison: Not an option Paul would choose, and it definitely interrupted his plans as a busy evangelist and church planter. So, God had a plan, part of that plan was for the Holy Spirit, via Paul, to put things in writing to guide Christians, even to this day. It would appear that Paul’s travels and busy schedule left little time for this Spirit inspired authorship role: Paul needed some down time to do this authorship duty. – So, God arranged for Paul to have adequate time to devote to his authorship duty, and leveraged that confinement to inspire others: Paul spent a good deal of time, twice, in prison in Rome until he was executed (per church history).
Paul was well attuned to understanding that, what we think of as an unfair hardship, may really be God ensuring our mission on this earth is successful. Paul states so in Romans 8:28 (WEB) (all agree written by Paul), “28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.” — Note the “for those who love God” and “are called …” aspects we sometimes miss.
So we can get a look at how Paul (again in a book all agree Paul authored, from prison), came to understand just how God’s insight in Romans 8:28 (above) actually works (Paul’s “things which happened to me” in verse 12, below, refers to the fact he is imprisoned in Rome, under house arrest, chained to a Roman guard):
Philippians 1:12-26 (WEB) — (emphasis in italics and bold added by Chuck for this Pondering)
12 Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News, 13 so that it became evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ, 14 and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will. 16 The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News.
18 What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice. 19 For I know that this will turn out to my salvation, through your prayers and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I don’t know what I will choose. 23 But I am hard pressed between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Yet to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake. 25 Having this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 that your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again.
There was a friend of mine that had a woman turn left in front of him while riding his motorcycle. His motorcycle was totaled, and he suffered a broken arm and a lot of road rash. When I spoke with him, he was ecstatic: His night nurse in the hospital was going through a rough time and simply could not understand why his attitude was so positive after his ‘accident’. After some lengthy discussions, his nurse agreed with his conclusion: He was the right person to talk through her ‘rough times’, and help her understand that God loved her unconditionally. The ‘accident’ was how this divine appointment was orchestrated by God.
Like Paul, my friend understood that our calamity may simply be God ensuring a ‘divine appointment’ can be arranged and kept, and made a choice (joy is a choice, not a feeling) for ‘joy in the faith’ (see Philippians 1:25 above). Like Paul (and the Blues Brothers, if you get the movie reference), my friend knew he ‘was on a mission from God’.
Ephesians 2:8-10 (WEB) (emphasis in bold added by Chuck for this Pondering)
8 for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, that no one would boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.
Things to Ponder: Maybe that flat tire, or traffic delay, made certain I did not encounter that drunk driver that crossed over into oncoming traffic. Maybe this trial & hardship is preparing me to help another see how God will help them to the other side of a similar situation.
Finally an old thought: How do I know if I have a God ordained mission on this earth?
Consider:
- God’s Word says I am His workmanship, created for good works, for which God prepared steps for me to walk in, to achieve God’s purpose for my life.
- As Paul noted, I would be far better off in my eternal home, in the embrace of Christ. So, the only reason for a loving God to leave me here, in this world, is to fulfill Godly purposes.
- Therefore, if I am still here on this earth, then my mission is not complete.
It all boils down to, “Do I still have a pulse?” If the answer is “yes”, then I still have a mission that is not completed. The needful thing then is to discern God’s plan and find those footprints He left for me to “walk in”.