He's got this thing rigged! Part 1

As our pastor, David Platt, often says "God's got this thing rigged!" He means, of course, that God's purpose WILL be fulfilled, His plans WILL be accomplished. He gives us the freedom to choose whether or not we participate but when it's all said and done, His will WILL be done.

As we studied Joseph last week and Job this week, it is awesome to be reminded that God even uses pain, suffering, and our own sinful behaviors to work all things for our good and His glory.

I can't help but share just a couple of examples of how this has been true in our lives and the lives of those around us.

Saturday, we were scheduled to deliver food (through Angel Food Ministries and Grace Klein) to those in need in our community. We did this in December and I was so very excited to go back to see our new friends and be a part of what God is doing. Unfortunately at 3:00 Sat morning, Riley started throwing up and was sick the rest of the night and into the morning. So I reluctantly (even tearfully) decided not to go. I was disappointed but couldn't bear to leave her. I believed (and still do) that this was Satan's attempt to thwart what God is doing through this ministry. Because I wasn't going, our friends changed plans and decided that instead of the wife going, the husband would go with Jes (one of them had to take a child to another obligation). The men would admit that they were nervous about going without their chatty, friendly wives to do most of the talking. But God used these two men in a mighty way. They ministered to several men that they might not have spoken to otherwise. They even spent time with one young husband and invited him to our small group - and he came! This guy is such a neat person and is seeking God's will for his life and his family. I believe that God is going to use these friendships to draw this family to Himself...and it just might not have happened if the chatty wives had taken over. :) And in the end, God showed our husbands that He can and will use them for His kingdom and that, if they are obedient, He has amazing plans for them! Praise the Lord for using Satan's dirty schemes for our good and His glory!