"...All things work together..."

Roma. 8:28 "And we know that ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."

Yesterday, Jerry asked me what the hangy ball was in the back of my throat. So, we headed to the world wide web. We found out a lot of information about how God made the human body. In doing so, we found out an amazing Truth about God and His creation and His plan for us.

I'm sure I learned this in school, but like most "useful" information I stored it away in the dark recesses of my mind and forgot it. Did you know that each muscle in your body has to work in pairs? Your triceps straighten your arm, while, your biceps bend it. Did you know that the muscles in your shoulder move the upper arm and the muscles in your thigh move your leg? Your tongue is not just one big muscle, but many muscles running in various directions; each one moving your tongue in a different direction. Each part of your body relies on another part to function. This gave me a tremendous opportunity to talk to Jerry about all the many ways that God made everything to work together.

Have you ever thought about this? God made woman for man. The family works together, each person fulfilling his or her purpose in the service of God. A government needs a people to govern and people need leadership. Christ sent out the disciples in teams of two. The church is compared to a body, which as I said, works together. Even experiences work together to bring about God's perfect work in our life: "...tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope..." (Rom 5:3,4) It would make a very interesting Bible study to find all the things that God created to work together. Even God presents Himself as a Trinity -- The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Contrary to popular belief, God doesn't need us to do His work. Yet, He has given us the honor and privilege of having a part in His-story. We tell our children every day that God created them so that they could serve Him. That is our purpose -- to bring glory to God. If I am not doing what God has called me to do, whether it be everyday responsibilities, a time of testing, a trial God has asked me to grow through, or praising Him for blessings received; then someone else will have to pull more of the load. His-story was written long ago and God will have His way. But you will not know God the way that you should until you do what He has given you to do.

A person who is blind can still live a productive life, but other parts of his body have to compensate for the eyes. The eyes and hands of a deaf person compensate for the ears. One who is paraplegic, must use his mouth to do what his hands cannot. Are you leaving your marriage, your family, or your church blind, or deaf, or lame? Are others having to do your work and their own?

I have great awe and respect for those who accept the difficulties God has given them. Whether it be a physical challenge, a trial, or maybe just a time of testing. I just finished reading the story of "Hope." http://wateringwellsofhope.blogspot.com/ It is the story of a family who could have fallen apart under a great trial. Instead, they accepted their trial as an opportunity to serve God. They did what God asked them to do and another was saved, many were blessed. Now those folks could do what God called them to do. What if Hope gave up? Or maybe her husband couldn't take it anymore? A family would be lost, another family may never have known salvation, others would not have been encouraged.

What about churches today? How many pastors and missionaries are being burned out unnecessarily, because you are not doing what God asked you to do? How many years of deputation could be spared? How much more work on the field could be done? No country has been fully reached. Has God asked you to pray, give, or go?

What about your family and/or your marriage, your job? Could there be more peace? Are you waiting for the other guy to do his job before you step up to the plate? Our Josie is famous for this. I will give each of the kids a job to do and she will almost always say something like, "Nobody else is working, so I won't until they do." Instead of cleaning up the toys in five minutes it takes an hour.

"All things work together..." Are you? God bless. Keep on a prayin'!