The Train

I had the funniest picture pop into my mind recently.  It all started with a devotional reading Paul entitled "Living Above Circumstances."  This came from the Charles Stanley monthly devotional book, which I love, btw.   But this day's kind of brought me down a bit and irked me a bit more.  It talked about how even though Paul was imprisoned, most likely chained to a Roman guard 24/7, he remained joyful, and at peace, and even was a blessing to others by writing many of his letters to the churches, letters which remain in our Bibles today.

So, here goes the train pulling out of the station., my emotions starting out as the conductor.  "Well that's fine for Paul.  His sufferings and trials had purpose.  He was a great spreader of the Gospel, working for God day after day." went the thoughts of the engine.  Chugachuga chugachuga....the train is working up speed here. Next car:  "My trials are trivial, purposeless....they seem to accomplish nothing, in me or in the world around me....what's the point???"  Okay, now we are really building up steam ....and then the Holy Spirit comes along side the conductor....and asks for the wheel...He decides to change direction and add His own cars to my little train, effectively putting the breaks on this downward spiral in my mind.  Click!

Car Romans 8:28 hooks up. "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."  Hmmmm, everything purposeful?  And then the next car hooks up....Loaves and fishes....Matthew 15:32-37.
The people were hungry, tired....they had continued with Jesus for days.  And He fed them.  He nurtured them.  In the middle of nowhere, He cared for them....and there was more than enough! Leftovers even!  Enough to share when they went home!

All my trials, my struggles, even the annoying day to day pricks and prods are purposeful in God's economy. Nothing is without use or meaning, nothing is wasted. And He blesses even when I feel like I am in the wilderness.  His care goes over and above whatever I could imagine.  My job is to stay with Him on this train called life, and let Him handle the controls!

What a ride.  LOL  What a funny impression that day.  God is so amazing and creative.  I love it.

Lord, thank You....that's all I can say is thank You.  Help me keep this in mind always.  You have purpose.

Trust God today, trust that nothing is wasted in Him.

Matthew 15:32-37  Then Jesus called his disciples and told them, “I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. I don’t want to send them away hungry, or they will faint along the way.” The disciples replied, “Where would we get enough food here in the wilderness for such a huge crowd?” Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have? ”They replied, “Seven loaves, and a few small fish.” So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to the disciples, who distributed the food to the crowd. They all ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food.