Unpredictable Life, Predictable God
A few months ago we were so excited to finally get a grill, but as we huddled around roasting our marshmallows and making s’mores, I remembered what our fire pit looked like back in the states.
The fire pit represented all I missed about what we left behind in W.V. It was hard to enjoy a new memory because I was stuck in the old memories. The sweet moment was tainted because life was no longer what it was. Life was different.
It is easy to remember what we used to have. Whether it was a certain blanket, picture frame, coffee mug, or shirt. What we used to have always looks better when we look back. But I don’t want to look back. I want to look ahead. Lot’s wife looked back to be a warning for us. Looking back often just leads to heartbreak and loneliness.
Let’s not look back and think we had it so much better “before.” Before the news of cancer, before the death, before the move, before…..God doesn’t want us to stay in the past. So stop looking back and look ahead. God is waiting for us there.
Tweet ThisLife might be disrupted, but God says His plans are still on track. God’s path might be a little tangled right now, but God says better things are just around the corner. This is not a sentiment. The words of Peter echoed in my mind as I thought about this disruption.
The disruption of COVID has turned all of our lives upside down. What do we do, as Christians, when we face these times of disruption?
“Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” I Peter 4:19 (ESV)
We can “entrust” our souls to a faithful Creator. Our doing good might feel futile, but God says we can trust Him. Entrust is a Greek word which means to “to place beside or near; to place down.” Like a deposit we set our souls before the Creator. We do not fret because evil is all around us, but we commit to God our very souls. The part of us which can never die is in the hands of the Creator God. What a beautiful reminder that our suffering, persecution, and heartache is never wasted because God can be trusted. Peter reminds us to keep going in doing good because it will get better. Looking back never solved any heartache. The children of Israel learned this as they longed for Egypt in the midst of going to the Promised Land.
If they only knew…..If we only know how much good is stored for us by a Faithful Creator we wouldn’t look back either. So let’s stop looking back and look ahead. Or better yet, look up. God says keep our minds focused on heavenly things. So look up and find Christ.
If I can entrust my soul to God I can entrust this time as well. Even though life is disrupted, life is not cancelled. God’s plans were never cancelled even when ours were. Our work for Christ might look different but we can entrust this work to the Creator.
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Sarah E. Frazer is a writer and Bible study mentor at sarahefrazer.com. She is the wife of Jason and mother of five who all serve as full-time missionaries in Honduras. Her passion is to encourage women to fall in love with the Bible. Sarah is the author of several Bible study resources for women. She shares tools for deep-rooted Bible study at sarahefrazer.com. Follow her on Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/sarah_e_frazer) and join her free prayer challenge at sarahefrazer.com/prayer
