Purpose Even in Small Packages
What She Said - Part 6
Sherry Bitler, Guest Writer
Today’s Treasure
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good to those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28
This is a familiar verse. The Holy Spirit has etched it on my mind this week. From Scripture, and from personal experience through the years, I believe with confidence that God loves me, Sherry. As a child, I made a commitment to love Him back. It was an immature commitment, but He has continued to teach me along the way.
As I have journeyed through life, I have discovered more and more what that childhood commitment truly requires. What exactly does ‘loving God’ look like? Jesus compared saving faith to becoming like a little child:
And calling to Him a child, He put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”.
Matthew 18:3
Very young children love their parents with trust, surrender and obedience; with following instruction and asking questions; with talking to them, laughing with them, and crying with them. This is how God wants us to love Him. Sometimes, children don’t understand why their parents require them to do things they don’t want to do or endure things that are unpleasant. But as they mature, they understand. Our Heavenly Father often works circumstances for our good, our pleasure. And other times, He allows circumstances that feel uncomfortable. They are for our good, our spiritual good.
God tells us that He has a purpose for our lives -- for my life. He does not tell me that I will understand it or enjoy it. Others have compared this to a tapestry – from our perspective, our lives often resemble the messy underside, with all the threads and knots. But from Heaven, God sees the beautiful picture and the story it tells.
And so, I choose to trust in His purpose even when sinful thoughts cause me to wonder if He has stopped working in me and through me. The activities that used to define my purpose – serving in formal ministry, raising children, spending time with young grandchildren – have all changed with this season of life. I work to accept rest and a slow pace as a gift. Impatience looms, but I choose to remember that God is writing my story for my good and embrace the new and unexpected opportunities for ministry He brings my way.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
Taking advantage of the very limited ‘safe’ activities in the current pandemic, I walk the neighborhood. I have met more neighbors in these few months than in the twenty years we have lived here. It is simple, but I purposefully decide to see it as a gift. I can add these neighbors and their families to our prayer time. As I learn more about each of them, I think of ways I can be encouraging and thoughtful. And the Holy Spirit must smile as I realize that God is still using me and gifting me. And He will continue for as long as I live on earth.
PRAYER
Dear Father – Please open my eyes and heart to see Your purposes for me. Please give me the patience to wait on Your timing.
Are there other women in your life who could benefit from a daily dose of encouragement? Forward this email so they can click on this link to Subscribe to Daily Treasure to be better equipped to walk by faith on the pathway God has marked out for them.
Sharon W. Betters is author of Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, co-author of Treasures of Faith. and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace, Flourishing in an Anti-Aging Culture. She is Director of Resource Development and co-founder of MARKINC.org, a non-profit organization that offers help and hope to hurting people. Sharon enjoys quality time with her husband, children, fourteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.