So often, I find myself praying fervently that my loved ones be spared from pain and distress. I don’t want them to experience anything undesirable. I would that God would spare them from challenges and trials of all kinds. Yet, I realize that this is a shortsighted viewpoint.
Once while reading Luke’s account of Jesus’ death, I realized something. The best thing that ever happened to the criminal who said, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom” was that he was crucified next to Jesus Christ. His crimes, his conviction, and his crucifixion were all used by God to get him to the greatest experience of his life on earth, whereby he heard the words, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
What do you think this man’s family was hoping (and perhaps praying) for? “Please don’t let him be crucified. Please let him somehow go free.” I’m not saying such desires and prayers are wrong. I’m not saying that at all. What I am saying is that very often, God uses exceedingly difficult circumstances to accomplish His purposes for our lives. A better prayer might be, “Have your way in his life. Draw him to you. Purify his heart. Save him by any means necessary.”
I am a witness that some of the most beautiful experiences of my life within the context of my relationship with God have come on the heels of turmoil and distress. Not only that, but in the midst of trials and tribulations is where I often share some of my sweetest, most intimate moments with Him.
Were it not for the bottom falling out of our lives, some of us wouldn’t be saved. Some of us refuse to turn from evil unless we are crushed. For whatever reason, God has orchestrated it that way. Let’s embrace all of God’s methods of ministering to us and to those we love. He knows what He’s doing.
