"It's All Good!"

Romans 8:26-28 in the New Revised Standard Version says "Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to God's purpose."

Have you ever become so discouraged about how something has turned out in your life? Have you watched a loved one make choice after choice after choice that just seemed to clearly be bad choices? When you look back over your own life and rally think things over do you ever think "I shoulda, woulda, coulda if I just had another chance?" Dear friends, in this life we will make a lot of choices. Some we will boldly declare and feel a deep conviction that it's right and good; yet others we may timidly, or even half-heartedly make, and hope for the best. And yes, friends, if you haven't done it already, live a little while longer and we'll make some choices that are absolutely not the best given the options in front of us. But as the writer of this Romans passage reminds us- likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. Even in our prayers we don't have the right words every now and then, but don't stop praying- pray nonetheless! Choose, live, be, and do- nonetheless! Live into your choices and trust God that the Spirit will intercede on your behalf.

Beloved, do not think that we will not experience self-doubt. Even if self-doubt doesn't take us out of the proverbial game there are sure to be enough doubters on the sidelines of our lives. You know them. They're the people that tell you "that dream that you have, oh it won't work!" They say "that spouse of yours, I always knew things wouldn't work out." When you suggest you'll go back to school they're the ones that mock your vision. Nevertheless, Romans 8:27 says "God searches the heart and knows what is the mind of the Spirit." This is more than enough to encourage you to go against self doubt and external doubters on the sidelines of your life. To encourage you that when they say your dream is no good, when they say your hope is hopeless, when they throw in the towel on you and your vision, be reminded that God says it's all good. God sees all we experience, searches our hearts and knows the mind of the Spirit and says, it's all good.

An interesting thing happened recently in Sunday night football. There was a match up between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants. For three of the four quarters the Giants dominated the game. Something unpredictable happened in the fourth quarter and wouldn't you know it- the Eagles turned a dismal game around and took home the win! Someone reading this today feels like they're in the third quarter of their lives; perhaps things look all bad, like there's no hope- but you need to know don't give up now! There's an entire quarter ahead of you! Stay in the game- they that wait upon the Lord shall mount up on wings like Eagles and it is all good! Life will try to be a giant, and try to take you out, but know that it's all good!

Let us pray, God we thank you that you don't leave us at the point of breaking. We thank you that you love us and because of love you remind us that it's all good. You have promised us a great future and an expected end. Help us to rejoice in you. Help us to help somebody else see that good you do in our own lives. Keep us oh God and we will forever be kept. This is our prayer, by the power of the Holy Spirit and in Jesus' name. Amen.