ALL Things

 


A Modern Parable

The scope of this promise is huge! Paul, the writer of the book of Romans had faith for it though and he had some extreme examples of “all things” from his own life. If God could make something amazing out of the ingredients of Paul’s life, maybe there’s hope for us too!

Think of the cooking reality shows where experienced cooks are competing to create amazing dishes on the spot using the main ingredients that are yet to be discovered. Each of the competitors stands behind a counter, with full access to a pantry stocked with all the spices and supplies they could think of. They also have all the kitchen tools and appliances they could ever need available. There is a time limit and the judges stand watching. In front of each chef is a large plate with the pre-selected main ingredients hidden beneath a silver dome. When the time begins, they will lift the dome and see what they will need to create their dish around. They will be surprised and will need to think quickly and creatively. It can’t matter if they like or would choose for themselves, the ingredients on their plate. Their success depends on creating an amazingly delicious, well presented and beautiful dish with their ingredients.

I think this is a good analogy for picturing the promise of Romans 8:28. We survey the “all things” of our life and wonder what could ever be made of these things. We don’t know how they will go together and some of them we would rather cast aside as un-usable and worthless. We can’t imagine God “liking” many of the “ingredients” of our life: past mistakes, regrets, poor decisions, trauma, etc. We have things we are ashamed of, hopeless about or would rather hide.

But I think God is unsurprised and unphased when He surveys the ingredients He has been given to work with. I think when He looks at the “all things” of our lives, He knows exactly and instantly what He can create with them. Nothing goes unused or wasted. Nothing is rejected or set aside. I think God looks at all the things and says to Himself; “I know exactly what I’m going to create with this, and it is going to be amazing!” He is not judging the potential of the ingredients based on their own ability. He is confident based on His ability and His creativity. He has hope because He knows what He is capable of. He can see the end product from the moment He begins, and He has no doubt that it is worth every bit of investment. He is convinced and committed to the end product. He knows how the story will end, and how each of the “all things” will contribute and be worked together for good.


A poem

ALL things?
These things?
Even these…?
Are you sure you can work these things for good?
Can I trust you?
I want to
But what can you make of these things?
How will you turn them for good?
How could any good come from things like these?
It is a risk!
I will watch what you can do
I will wonder
I will trust you
With even these things
I will trust in the good you can bring
I wonder
at
these things!
 

Connecting the Dots Within Scripture 

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28

The apostle Paul can write this promise in full faith because he is convinced of the truth of Mark 10:27, where Jesus says that all things are possible with God.  The reality of the outcome is not dependent on us, but on God and His power.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27

Paul further shares his perspective on the timeline of God’s faithfulness in his letter to the church in Philippi. God’s ability to work all things for our good is not even bound by time.  God’s timeline extends to the glorious return of Christ and He promises to complete all that He begins in us.

“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6 

“For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:5

God can work all things for good because goodness is part of God’s identity! Goodness begins and ends with God. His goodness knows no limitation or restriction.

We can choose to rest in the promise that “all things work together for good”


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