“God’s one-of-a-kind job description is that God actually uses our problems to lead us to the full solution. God is the perfect Recycler, and in the economy of grace, nothing is wasted, not even our worst sins and our most stupid mistakes.”
-Richard Rohr in his book, A Lever and Place to Stand-
Hear the Good News, sisters and brothers! God is at His best when He redeems our darkest, most-dismal moments.
I find Rohr’s description of God as the “perfect Recycler” to be particularly uplifting. More often than not, I pray for my problems to go away. Like potholes on a frequently traveled road, I simply want the issues, challenges, and difficulties to vanish. As in, poof. Gone.
It is especially audacious to suggest that God is at His finest when things look so bleak. I find this sentiment echoed in 2 Corinthians 12:9, when God pronounces, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” The song we sang as children resonates, here, as well: “We are weak, but He is strong.” I, in no way, believe that God delights in our weakness or our problems. But I do believe that God sees them as opportunities to do good in the midst of bad.
Imagine the faith that is required to have this perspective on life? Instead of lamenting one’s hardships, the faithful follower of our most-powerful God looks for the opportunity amidst a challenging moment.
When we are faced with a problem, God is already at work to bring redemption and healing through it. Why? Because with God, nothing is wasted.
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I found Richard Rohr’s quote in a daily devotion that I’m currently reading. Lent is a season of preparation for Christ’s passion and God’s redemptive work at Easter. Lent is an opportunity to renew our spiritual disciplines and to walk more closely with the Good Shepherd. For those of you with smart devices, consider downloading d365, a free app that provides daily devotions. Each day’s devotion directs you to be still, to pray, to read a brief scripture passage, and to consider a thoughtful insight. The app can be found in the app store by the name d365. Passport Mission Camps, a group with whom we partner, has developed the devotional app. I think it is well worth your time.
Think about a problem you are currently facing. Now, lean in close and see if you can see the opportunity that also exists there.
You’ll know you’ve found it when you have a particular feeling.
We call that feeling hope.“God’s one-of-a-kind job description is that God actually uses our problems to lead us to the full solution. God is the perfect Recycler, and in the economy of grace, nothing is wasted, not even our worst sins and our most stupid mistakes.”
-Richard Rohr in his book, A Lever and Place to Stand-
Hear the Good News, sisters and brothers! God is at His best when He redeems our darkest, most-dismal moments.
I find Rohr’s description of God as the “perfect Recycler” to be particularly uplifting. More often than not, I pray for my problems to go away. Like potholes on a frequently traveled road, I simply want the issues, challenges, and difficulties to vanish. As in, poof. Gone.
It is especially audacious to suggest that God is at His finest when things look so bleak. I find this sentiment echoed in 2 Corinthians 12:9, when God pronounces, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” The song we sang as children resonates, here, as well: “We are weak, but He is strong.” I, in no way, believe that God delights in our weakness or our problems. But I do believe that God sees them as opportunities to do good in the midst of bad.
Imagine the faith that is required to have this perspective on life? Instead of lamenting one’s hardships, the faithful follower of our most-powerful God looks for the opportunity amidst a challenging moment.
When we are faced with a problem, God is already at work to bring redemption and healing through it. Why? Because with God, nothing is wasted.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I found Richard Rohr’s quote in a daily devotion that I’m currently reading. Lent is a season of preparation for Christ’s passion and God’s redemptive work at Easter. Lent is an opportunity to renew our spiritual disciplines and to walk more closely with the Good Shepherd. For those of you with smart devices, consider downloading d365, a free app that provides daily devotions. Each day’s devotion directs you to be still, to pray, to read a brief scripture passage, and to consider a thoughtful insight. The app can be found in the app store by the name d365. Passport Mission Camps, a group with whom we partner, has developed the devotional app. I think it is well worth your time.
Think about a problem you are currently facing. Now, lean in close and see if you can see the opportunity that also exists there.
You’ll know you’ve found it when you have a particular feeling.
We call that feeling hope.