“We know God works for the good in all things, for those who love him—those called according to his purpose… to be conformed to the image of his Son.” Rom. 8:28-29
Abba, Father, call it home room, our “happy place,” like a visit to the dentist’s office, a “Biblical band-aid,” too good to be true, or our favorite verse in the Bible… Romans 8:28 elicits all kinds of responses. One of the most underlined and memorized Scriptures is easy to misunderstand, misapply, and under-believe.
As a young believer, I thought (hoped, fantasized, demanded?) it meant if I love you enough, a steady stream of “goodness” would flow into my life. “Good” included minimal pain, maximum delight, financial success, stellar health. Though all blessings flow from you, Romans 8:28 promises something much better than a steady stream of creature comforts. It declares you are at work in everything to make us like Jesus. Christlikeness, not “jacuzzi-life-ness,” is the promised outcome.
When we’re honest, that’s not always at the top of our want-list, Father. Sometimes our greatest “good” is to be vindicated and to see the other “guy” get obliterated. Sometimes we want control over outcomes and people we love. Sometimes we’d settle for an end to the parade of hardships, heartaches, and body-aches of life. Sometimes we want you to be a masseuse, valet, 3-wish-giver, or an ice-cream dipper, not a Potter at work to make us more like Jesus.
Sovereign Abba, thank you for always being at work for our greater—indeed, our greatest good. Our suffering isn’t meaningless. When life is too hard too confusing too often, you are making us like Jesus. This doesn’t call for bucking-up or keeping a “stiff-upper-lip,” but bent knees and lifted hands. Vengeance, outcomes, and redemption are yours. Mercy, grace, and trust are ours. Free us, Father. So Very Amen.
