Nothing is Wasted
The easiest way to miss life’s lessons is to turn around or quit when things become difficult. It was common when I was growing up for parents to teach their kids to never quit. In our house, quitting wasn’t an option. My parents encouraged participation in events, groups, or sports, but my dad, in particular, gave me this one rule. You have to finish what you start. That rule served me well, though it wasn’t easy. Things didn’t always turn out as anticipated. Coaches and leaders made decisions that created conflict. Circumstances often played out unfairly (at least in my opinion). Staying committed and continuing to give my best effort challenged me, but it shaped my character and my resolve like nothing else will.
Toward the end of the book of Acts, Paul, accused falsely and arrested, is being taken to Rome to make his case before Caesar. By this time, he’d already been imprisoned for over two years. Paul believed God wanted him to preach the gospel in Rome, but nothing seemed to go according to plan. Delays caused the ship to leave late in the season. Wind and storms blew them off course. Eventually, the ship ran aground and broke up causing everyone to swim ashore or hold on to debris and ride the waves to the beach. Once making it to shore, a poisonous snake bit Paul on the hand. I mean, seriously, what is going on here?!!
Paul remained faithful through everything, and his faith saved everyone. When I say everyone, I mean Paul didn’t die from the snake bite, all the crew and prisoners survived the shipwreck, in gratitude the people of Malta replenished their supplies, and every sick person on the island was healed. As a bonus, Paul shared the gospel and many came to faith in Jesus.
In his wisdom, God chooses to work this way. He makes a way through, not around, the obstacles and difficulties we face to accomplish more, to mature our faith, and grow our resilience. Like Paul, we learn how to humbly entrust our lives to God’s ways. Truly, nothing is wasted, none of our grief, none of our waiting, none of our losses along the way. God provides. God redeems. God restores. So, press on. Keep living faithfully through whatever comes your way.
Toward the end of the book of Acts, Paul, accused falsely and arrested, is being taken to Rome to make his case before Caesar. By this time, he’d already been imprisoned for over two years. Paul believed God wanted him to preach the gospel in Rome, but nothing seemed to go according to plan. Delays caused the ship to leave late in the season. Wind and storms blew them off course. Eventually, the ship ran aground and broke up causing everyone to swim ashore or hold on to debris and ride the waves to the beach. Once making it to shore, a poisonous snake bit Paul on the hand. I mean, seriously, what is going on here?!!
Paul remained faithful through everything, and his faith saved everyone. When I say everyone, I mean Paul didn’t die from the snake bite, all the crew and prisoners survived the shipwreck, in gratitude the people of Malta replenished their supplies, and every sick person on the island was healed. As a bonus, Paul shared the gospel and many came to faith in Jesus.
In his wisdom, God chooses to work this way. He makes a way through, not around, the obstacles and difficulties we face to accomplish more, to mature our faith, and grow our resilience. Like Paul, we learn how to humbly entrust our lives to God’s ways. Truly, nothing is wasted, none of our grief, none of our waiting, none of our losses along the way. God provides. God redeems. God restores. So, press on. Keep living faithfully through whatever comes your way.
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