Dear Friend,
I was thinking about you the other day and my mind went to a scripture, which I thought I would share with you. I believe God placed this on my heart for you, as He fully understands that sometimes we’re in such a dry place in our lives that it’s difficult to hear him – but He is speaking.
The scripture is taken from Romans 8:28-30, and it reads as follows:
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30 NKJV)
I hope that by the end of this letter, you will be so encouraged by God that you will be able to take your next steps in the knowledge of His love.
Looking at the above scripture, the first thing that strikes me, both for you and me, is that God is all seeing. He sees all things, so nothing catches Him by surprise, and nothing can happen outside his plan for our lives. I remember the day he called us both – we were in a bad place, weren’t we? But God reached out to us, and, although we falter, He keeps us in His footsteps. So this scripture is real. He has a purpose for us, and He calls us to fulfil it.
But I also remember my mentor saying to me once, during a counselling session, that life is not a bed of roses, and Christianity is no walk in the park. Recalling her words always causes me to pause and take stock whenever I face a trial. I expect everything to work for my good, as the scripture above states, but I am learning more and more, that there is a purpose at work in my life. And it is higher than I see.
But I digress – this is not about me. He knew you, my dear friend; on the day He called you and predestined you to be conformed to Christ’s image! Just thinking about that has me jumping for joy; knowing we are always on His mind.
Friend, you may have lost something or someone more precious to you than life itself, but remember that God’s main concern is that your whole life conforms to Christ’s, for therein lies His plan for you. And we both know that Christ fulfilled every aspect of His destiny. Be encouraged, God’s plan never goes astray.
Something else that struck me is that we are in a great family. The family of our Lord Jesus Christ, and He watches over us just like a big brother would. We are also fully persuaded of God’s protection, judging by the way He shielded His Son from attacks and death until the time was right. He will not allow you go through anything that you cannot bear – which I know may sound unbelievable, but rest assured that God knows exactly how much you can cope with.
Which reminds me that God’s eternal plan, according to this scripture, is that He predestined us to adoption as His children, then He called us when we didn’t know Him, then He kept us as His own, by making us able to stand in His presence through Jesus Christ, and finally He glorified us! Friend, we are eternally blessed.
I know right now you might be asking – Why me? Why am I going through this? Will I survive? You have strength that you are unaware of, and God’s ability is at work in you since you are made in the image of Christ. You have Christ’s example in what He went through to get us into God’s glory, and you know He succeeded.
BECAUSE HE DID, SO WILL YOU.
I encourage you to meditate on this word, and keep your eyes on Him.
I love you very much and so does Christ.
Your friend and sister in Him.