Loved and Called

How many times have you read a familiar Scripture passage and "filed" it away in your memory? "Oh yes, I am familiar with that verse," we say to ourselves. However as the saying goes, "Familiarity breeds contempt." It is one thing to be familiar with a Scripture passage or verse and another to really meditate upon and internalize it. I have had the experience on many occasions of really allowing God to speak through a very familiar passage. Most recently Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Sadly this verse has been misused by well meaning Christians to try and encourage others who have experienced a loss or some other traumatic event. When I really stopped to break this verse down I discovered the beauty of God's activity and the humility of being included in His purposes. "And we know"..(This is not a guess, not an uncertainty. It is a sure thing, an unspoken promise by the Promise keeper Himself) "that in all things"(joys as well as sorrows, victories as well as defeats, every facet of life) "God works" (He is at the center, He is active not passive. He is laboring not indifferent) "for the good" (For He is good. There is no darkness or shadow of turning in Him. There is no evil intent or impure motive.) "of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." (Loved and called; chosen out of love for His purpose. An instrument of grace, especially chosen and selected because of His knowing that I am an instrument He can use for His honor and glory) I was especially moved by recognizing anew that God is at the center of all of creation and of my life. Romans 8:28 dovetails beautifully with Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Did you notice? God works, (Romans 8:28) God created (Genesis 1:1). God is always moving, re-creating, restoring, and making things come together to display His glory. The heavens and the earth declare His glory (Psalm 19) and He works for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose. His purpose ties into and reflects back His glory. All of creation is the conduit through which His power and presence flows. We see Him in the out working of that which surrounds us and the outpouring of His grace upon us which flows to others. What greater glory can there be, than to be loved and called by the Creator of the universe.  All glory to God!
In His grace,
Pastor Sheree