I have lived as a Christian for over four decades now and God has never failed me. I can say that with all sincerity. That doesn't mean that I have never been disappointed with the outcome of things which have happened during the course of those years, nor does it mean that I have not been discouraged by what seems to be "unanswered prayer." What it means is that 'through it all' I have learned, and am still learning to lean upon Jesus, to trust in Him completely, and to run with patience the race that I have been called to run, as it says in Scripture, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1). My race is not yet over, so I have yet to see how God will have worked in all things for my good (Romans 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". The words, "And we know" speaks to me of certainty and assurance. "... they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee" (Psalm 9:10).
When Corrie Ten Boom, a holocaust survivor would tell her life story, she would often hold up the back side of a blue cloth of embroidery with hundreds of tangled threads hanging down from it. Many have wondered if she was holding up the wrong side by mistake, but she wasn't. She would then turn the right side to the audience and say, "The wrong side is chaos, but look at the beautiful picture on the other side, which revealed a beautiful, detailed embroidered crown - symbolizing the crown of eternal life. The illustration was striking. In our lives we see the wrong side, but God sees His side all the time. One day we will see the embroidery from His side and thank Him for every trial and unanswered prayer. Friends, don't give up on God when the going gets tough. Keep pressing on! Keep on trusting the Lord!
Pastor Tom
“My life is
but a weaving
Between
my God and me.
I
cannot choose the colors
He
weaveth steadily.
Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow;
And I
in foolish pride
Forget
He sees the upper
And I
the underside.
Not ’til the loom is silent
And the
shuttles cease to fly
Will
God unroll the canvas
And
reveal the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the
weaver’s skillful hand
As the
threads of gold and silver
In the
pattern He has planned
He knows, He loves, He cares;
Nothing
this truth can dim.
He
gives the very best to those
Who
leave the choice to Him.”
~Corrie ten Boom
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