All Along
For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. Ephesians 2:10 (Amplified Bible Classic Edition, AMPC)
Have you ever thought that your life doesn’t make sense? Well, if we lean on our own understanding, we’ll probably never figure it out, and life will not make sense a lot of the time. If we don’t look at things right we won’t be able to make sense of things, such as why we got hurt, betrayed, looked over, disappointed, forgotten, or never chosen. We won’t understand why we tried something and it failed, why a plan didn’t work out, why something good came to an end, or why we had hard experiences. We have to get God’s perspective on it all. When we do, we’ll see that although God does not bring bad things into our lives, He wants to use all the pieces of our lives and fit them together so we can see the bigger picture, purpose, and plan.
Maybe, just maybe, by experiencing all this and so much more, we end up becoming the people God wants us to be: more loving, caring, compassionate, understanding, giving, and less selfish. Maybe these things come together and result in our life’s journey being more about touching others along the way, making a difference in thier lives, and depositing love into them to make them better. Perhpas the journey isn’t about us at all, but about bringing healing, restoration, love, laughter, and fulfillment to others. Maybe as we make others better, God is making us better. Maybe every good thing we do for others has a part in making us the people God planned us to be all along.
Could it be that as we begin to love others, our life begins to make sense, the pieces finally come together, and we begin to see a bigger picutre and plan that God was putting together all along? I believe that as time goes on, we’ll look back and see that God was making us and shaping us according to His purpose and blueprint. We’ll recognize that each step we took was fulfilling God’s plan for us all along.
When we stop, take a breath, and see the bigger design God has worked out in our lives- taking the bad that the enemy meant for our harm and making it work out for our betterment- we’ll understand the journey of our life. We’ll finally grasp that in spite of all the ups and down, twists and turns, we’ve been living the life God planned all along. When we take the time to see all of God’s handiwork in our lives, we’ll see that we’re becoming who God called us to be from the start.
We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren. And those whom He thus foreordained, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified (acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself). And those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition or state of being]. Romans 8:28-30 (Amplified Bible Classic Edition, AMPC)
