Our Goals or His Goals?

So, at age fifty, went back to work for a while as a journeyman carpenter and was quickly given raises but it was a constant process of work a few weeks then wait for new project to begin. After this I worked as a marketing estimator for a Christian friend who was a general contractor. Although he built homes from the ground up, the bulk of his business, when I was with him, was roofing and remodeling. I handled marketing for him going door to door canvassing neighborhoods for roofs in need of repair, remodeling jobs, etc.. Again the Lord blessed, and within a few months I had enough business to keep the company busy for the next two years.

The owner expressed interest in making me a partner in the firm – a proposition I was very interested in. Once again, however, the Lord had a different plan. In March 1995 I was on the roof of a house taking measurements to prepare a work estimate for a roof repair. It had been a very cool and wet period and there were a number of shade trees around causing moss on the shingles. The roof was very wet and the sunlight caused a blinding glare.

Just as I was finishing, I was walking near the ridge of the roof when I stepped into some black moss and started sliding down the steep roof. I quickly looked around for roof jacks, anything to grab – nothing! Fortunately I didn’t lose my balance so when I reached the edge I jumped to avoid landing on the sidewalk or the planters around the house. I landed on the wet lawn leaving deep footprints. I had avoided potentially fatal injuries but at the age of fifty-six I had broken both of my legs below the knees, one in two places. After surgery and insertion of screws, I spent the most of the next twelve weeks in bed and all twelve weeks in casts. I had to go through physical therapy and I wore special boots with orthodics for several years.

While recuperating I went back to college to study accounting since the doctors said that I could no longer do the things I had done in the past. I was doing well and was in the middle of my last semester, we had just taken the mid-semester exams, when I had two heart attacks. I was not able to return to school so I missed the last quiz and the final exams in every class. Despite missing so much school the Lord had blessed me again - I passed every class and graduated with honors. My doctors advised me that I was through working and I was placed on permanent total disability.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-5; NIV (italics mine).

I wish I could say that I was able to consider all these trials as pure joy but the truth is I did not. I’d love to think that I am spiritually mature and lack nothing – but I know better. It seemed like God blessed my work efforts greatly but every time I got my feet on the ground someone or something, I could not control, kicked them right out from under me. I truly believed in God and was doing my best to do what I felt was right, but I just could not seem to get my life on a steady track.

The seeming contradictions in my life were very confusing to me. I seemed to be blessed in so many ways and yet, in the end, failure haunted me. Every time I seemed to get a break and things began to go pretty well, I would get blind-sided with another sucker punch. I knew that God loved me and wanted the best for me but I could not understand why bad things kept happening. As I prayed, and sought answers, I was reminded that the Lord also suffered many trials while on earth.

I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on men: 2 God gives a man wealth, possessions and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires, but God does not enable him to enjoy them, and a stranger enjoys them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil. Eccl 6:1-2; NIV (italics mine).

Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. John 15:19-21; NIV (italics mine).

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 1 Peter 4:12-13; NIV (italics mine).

Consider what Jesus told his disciples.

"But you are those who have continued with Me in My trial. 29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, 30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Luke 22:28-30; NKJV (italics mine).

In time, I was able to look back on the events of those years and realize that God was always there. In spite of all of the trials and difficulties He never abandons us. We were never homeless or without food or clothing. We were tried but we were not destroyed. I eventually came to realize that those events led me into a deeper understanding of God.

I eventually came to understand that I am not a good person. I am not even an OK person. I am a mess -- as we all are. It is by God’s mercy and grace that I live and breathe. I have no merit with which I can approach God - I deserve to die -- but Jesus died in my place. I deserve nothing but pain and suffering -- but He promises eternal life, peace and great rewards. We all have this wonderful promise to hold on to.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials .7 These have come so that your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:5-7; NIV (italics mine).

"Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7, NKJV (italics mine).

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, Matt 6:28-30, NIV (italics mine).

God is never concerned about our wealth, a roof over our head, or food for our stomach. He knows exactly how He will provide those things. He has never stopped providing. His overriding concern is for our spiritual welfare. His one and only goal is our redemption and our growth toward spiritual maturity. We are the worriers. We shouldn’t worry but we do. Fortunately He forgives.