c o v e n a n t c o l l e g e c h a p e l D A I L Y D E V O T I O N A L S I T ' S A L W A Y S S O M E T H I N G | 3 . 3 0 . 2 0 B Y J E F F H A L L , V P F O R A C A D E M I C A F F A I R S I love closure. It is always best when things are finished, buttoned up, and stowed away in their appropriate places. Life is best when there are no unanswered obligations and no unresolved conflicts. I have been this way my whole life. In elementary school I was often the first in the class to finish my worksheet and hand it in to the teacher with the hope of being able to sit at my desk and revel in the serenity of the moment. This pattern has continued into my adult life. From the outside, people think of me as being responsible and being able to deliver. I have a good reputation. That reputation is an idol of mine, but I will leave that for another time. When challenges arise in either my personal or my professional life, I initially play out a variety of scenarios, convincing myself that I would be able to withstand the various outcomes associated with each. I also adopt an internal narration assuring myself that “Once we get through this, everything will be better.” Everything is better with closure. The problem with this approach to life is that issues and challenges come in a constant parade. There are very few days that are free of challenge, conflict, or obligation. The Saturday Night Live character, Roseanne Roseannadanna (portrayed by Gilda Radner), frequently repeated, “It just goes to show you, it's always something — if it’s not one thing, it's another." If this is true, where do we find our peace? Where is the resolve? Where is the closure? Let me suggest that the peace, the shalom, is not found in playing out scenarios or in rushing to the completion of our obligated tasks. We will have struggles in this life. The creation groans for the redemption of the sons of men (Romans 8). There will be wars and rumors of war (Matthew 24:6). Bad things will happen to all of us at some point. As you know, true peace (shalom) comes from Jesus. He said, “Peace I leave with you; my Peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27) In my rush to closure, to make peace for myself, I often miss the gift that Jesus offers. I also miss the current context of my life. In these strange days, I encourage you not to be like me. Rather, find your peace in your relationship with the person of Jesus. Spend time with him. Do not adopt a posture of “As soon as things get back to normal, everything will be fine.” That kind of forward slant to your perspective will cause you to miss the rich blessings of each day. So we can find comfort as did Paul with his thorn in the flesh when our Lord refused to heal him and responded: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2Cor. 12:9-10 PRAYER Dear Jesus, I confess that I do not trust you with my whole life and all of my circumstances. I would like to have control over the events and demands that affect me. Please grant me a willing heart that trusts you, finds my peace in you, and embraces the days that you give me. Today, may I love you more, be more like you, and show your love to those around me by the grace of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen. G O D I S O U R R E F U G E A N D S T R E N G T H . A V E R Y P R E S E N T H E L P I N T R O U B L E . T H E G O D O F J A C O B I S O U R F O R T R E S S . B E S T I L L , A N D K N O W T H A T I A M G O D c o v e n a n t c o l l e g e c h a p e l D A I L Y D E V O T I O N A L S C O M F O R T I N G O D ' S P U R P O S E | 3 . 3 1 . 2 0 B Y H A N N A H B L O O M Q U I S T , A N D R E A S R E S I D E N T D I R E C T O R “AND WE KNOW THAT FOR THOSE WHO LOVE GOD ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD, FOR THOSE WHO ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.” -ROMANS 8:28 It seems like the verses we might have heard a million times over or learned since childhood flood to the forefront of our minds whenever we are faced with crisis, hardship, or the unknown. You might even have conflicting thoughts about the use of this particular verse during this season. Perhaps you feel that it is a trite and insensitive thing to say to someone right now when they are in the midst of deep sorrow and suffering. On the other hand, perhaps this verse is soothing to you as you face deep fear and anxiety, remembering that God is in control. For me, I found myself repeating this verse to God as almost a reminder to Him of what He has promised. I wanted this verse to be a guarantee that everything would go back to the way that it was, and that we would not have to sit much longer in discomfort. I think I have used this verse as a fearful remedy or band-aid to fear and suffering. I wonder if the varied feelings about this verse come from a slight distortion of its meaning and promise. Every Sunday morning my Dad writes and sends me a devotional over text. This last Sunday he wrote about Romans 8:28, teaching me that this verse does not refer to God’s ability to take the chaos of this pandemic and make good of it. God is not scrambling to figure out what to do with this mess and somehow fulfill His purpose through it. Rather, God has orchestrated all things for His purpose and glory before the foundations of the earth. He is not surprised by this or shaken by it, He is sovereign over it. The reality is that His divine plan through all of this might not have a direct implication of making me comfy, because it is NOT about me. The “good” referred to in this verse does not refer to our own daily comfort or fulfillment of our earthly desires. This good is referring to the eternal welfare of the believer. It is referring to our sanctification and the magnification of God’s name so that all might believe. I am not guaranteed or entitled to my definition of my “good." I play a part in this world and I am “called according to HIS purpose.” We know that His purpose is to spread the good news of salvation, and for you and I to be sign-posts to Jesus. I don’t say this easily, and I don’t say it without still feeling a twinge of fear and anxiety. However, I say this with the desire that I would fully embrace the truth in this verse and that the Lord would strengthen my faith and help me to submit all things according to His good purposes. In order for God’s purpose and my “good” to be fulfilled at this time, it might come at the cost of my own definition of comfort. If all we do is strive for our own idea of comfort, we will be continually disappointed. However, when we align ourselves with the purpose of Christ, we receive a more genuine and fulfilling comfort. A comfort that comes from praying for and encouraging others. A comfort that comes from knowing that our welfare is not totally dependent on our own efforts. And a comfort that comes from the profound truth that we will never be without the love of God. This verse was never meant to sweep over the things we don’t understand or slap over someone's fears and doubts. This verse acknowledges our finitude and need for a sovereign and faithful God who has already ordered this chaos and will never lead us to aimlessness or destruction. G O D I S O U R R E F U G E A N D S T R E N G T H .