When Everything Goes Wrong
Curse that day for failing to shut my mother’s womb, for letting me be born to see all this trouble. Job 3:10 NLT
While our experience may be different than Job’s, many of us have been in situations, so dire, that we even question our existence.
Wayne’s parents never married. Growing up, he learned to shrug off the names he was called on the church school playground, and ignore the older ladies whispering behind his back in church.
Wayne managed to work his way through school. He got a job, and then got engaged to his best friend. Finally he had someone who loved him and would never leave him, unlike the father he never even knew. He vowed to himself as much as to his fiancee that he would create the perfect home for her, and unlike his biological father, would always be there to provide for his future children. As he looked forward to the wedding, he hoped to begin a new and better life.
But then Wayne’s whole world came crashing down. First, his fiancee broke off their engagement. Then he lost his job. And when he thought he had found a new job at least, his new supervisor told him things were not working out.
Wayne came home to his empty apartment and threw himself down on the floor. Feeling as low as you can get, Wayne felt a huge void in his life.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
His fiancee did not want him. His old job did not want him. Now things were not working at at his new job, and he wondered if anyone needed him or wanted him at all? It sure did not feel like he was wanted or needed by anyone. He was all alone, and it seemed nobody cared if he lived or died. And if no one cared if he lived or died, why should he? Who would miss him if he just vanished away? Obviously no one from his work, or his ex-fiancee.
No one called from church to check up on him either. What’s the point of surviving in a world where no one cares if you survive or not? Wayne cried out, asking God why nothing was going right. Suddenly a thought came to him – but not from God. He reasoned that his parents never should have had the affair that brought him into this world, and therefore he was never supposed to be born! That has to be it, Wayne reasoned. Nothing works out for me, because God does not have a plan for my life, seeing how my parents never should have made me.
Wayne was so sure his theory was correct, that the following day at lunch he shared it with a friend from church. When Wayne explained that nothing was working out because he was not supposed to be born, his friend surprised him, by responding, “That is the most stupid thing I’ve ever heard!” Wayne’s friend was close enough that only he could get away with a response like that, but it woke Wayne up enough to realize his theory simply was not true. After all, Solomon was a product of Bathsheba and David’s sinful encounter, yet Solomon went on to write inspired proverbs and became an ancestor of the Savior.
Long story short, Wayne discovered that God did have a plan for his life. Although he’s had his ups and downs, he has had many opportunities to see God’s hand in his life. And God used him and is continuing to use him to pastor his flock.
Like Job, even though God greatly loved and had a plan for Wayne’s life, did not mean his life was just a walk in the park. Even Mary, Jesus’ mother had her moments.
Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you! ” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! Luke 1:28-30 NLT
Mary was chosen. She was favored and the Lord was with her. I’m sure she didn’t feel that way when she heard her Son being called a demon and folks questioning the legitimacy of His birth, or when she watched Him being crucified. Still, she was chosen and favored, and God was with her.
If your heart is fully surrendered, take heart. Whatever storm you are going through. You are chosen. You are favored, and the Lord is with you. And yes! God has a plan for your life!
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William Thanks.
Your have talked my life story through other name..
Off course God is under control.
Loves us in any situation we face.
The story of Wayne, fact or fiction, is true in many lives of modern day and age circumstances. The sad truth also like Wayne, no one really cares. Our lives are too busy satisfying our own desires. The headline news is full of crimes of every sort. Edification is a seldom used word. How is change possible? One someone who loves as Matt 22:37-39,one at a time. Before it is too late, we all need to be aware when opportunity for change presents it's self and we try to make a difference.
Thanks Paul, "Wayne's" story is true, with a couple modifications to protect "Wayne's" identity.
Happy Sabbath
William also mentioned my story using another name.
Praise The Lord for His encouragement for this is what I needed.
Thanks William and may God continue to use you.
God is only powerful for everything, if you desire something, ask our lord,soon he will give it to you.
If you didn't get it at the same time, be patient and he knows the time. Let us not hasten for doing abominable iniquity, our lord he will not be happy for us.
Let us standfirm to our father in heaven.
Amen!
Chatim Daniel Diu,Juba,South Sudan.
Current in New Delhi, Indian.
Sometimes God allows us to pass through all these so as to be lesson and beef up our faith and trust in Him when we come out of its.i for one .one thing I always struggled for .thus the cross,when we read john 3:16,there our hope in Christ Jesus comes and Revelation 21:4, testifies God's kindness and care, believers,there is a God who care and is ever ready hold our hand as He did for Peter on the sea when he was sinking,the hands of the lord is ever ready save us if we recognise His presence in our lives. Amen
Who do you think would want to put such thoughts in our mind God or Lucifer? Like Job I would want to come to the conclusion; " thou he slay me yet will I trust him."
Could you answer a query for me, was the son of David and Bathsheba's illicit liaison not allowed to die, was Solomon not born after David officially took Bathsheba to be his wife.
VK [Full Name Please], their first son did indeed die. Solomon was born after they were married, but of course the union should have never taken place.
This is what God calls us to do - to reach out in love to others but many times we are caught up in keeping the letter of the law we forget the principal of the law which is love to God and man. There are church members languishing on our pews who are afraid to share their feelings. Thanks so much William for this well written piece.
Sharon, I share your feelings on this. There is a thought in a book that I would share if I may. It simply says, "With the Bible in hand, [we] should seek in a courteous manner to learn the objections which exist in the minds of those who are beginning to inquire, 'What is truth?'". (Gospel Workers p.190.)
Yes, I do agree; there are people in our churches who are afraid to share their feelings/frustrations... even in "one on one" conversations. Perhaps some expect/anticipate that they would be shut down. And if somebody began speaking like Job today, I doubt that they would be able to get much out. Job's 3 friends were "miserable comforters", but it seems to me that they were capable of listening to Job's complaints.
Job, though, was also willing [and able] to listen to what his friends had to say.
The story just gave me strength that God hasn't forgotten all those who are suffering. I myself I'm going through a hard time being jobless without a home.I ask all for your prayers
What a Beautiful story! Our lives and plans may not always work out the way we want them to, but God is still with us. And if we surrender to Him, His plans for our lives will be revealed. Thank you and God bless you!