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- June 16, 2005
The world has always been filled with many tragedies. People die young, accidents happen, and financial downturns abound. With advent of 24-hour news stations, the Internet, and the proliferation of wireless phones, we can find out the "bad news" in record time.
In recent days, within my easy glance, I know of a man who had a motorcycle accident resulting in a very bad head injury, a child dying in a car rollover, people in our church experiencing financial setbacks and several Christian organizations dealing with tough financial issues. To learn of these things, I never had to even turn on any media.
The Apostle Paul knew that life is tough. He sailed the rough waves of shipwreck and the terrors of people out to kill him. Friends were martyred and people he loved and nurtured in the faith suffered for their beliefs. Yet in spite of all the "bad things" he saw happening around him, Paul wrote, "... we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
How do you see life? Do you assume that all is hopeless, bad stuff happens and then we die? Or do you believe what the Bible teaches that God knows what He is doing and where this is all going? If God is God, believe in the latter. There you will find peace for your soul, even if you do not understand why God would allow these things.
Contributed by Michael Ullrich. Michael has served in pastoral ministry since 1979. His weekly devotional column appears in numerous newspapers, magazines and online publications, as well as on his Web site. He and his wife, Bonita, have seven children.
- June 16, 2005
The world has always been filled with many tragedies. People die young, accidents happen, and financial downturns abound. With advent of 24-hour news stations, the Internet, and the proliferation of wireless phones, we can find out the "bad news" in record time.
In recent days, within my easy glance, I know of a man who had a motorcycle accident resulting in a very bad head injury, a child dying in a car rollover, people in our church experiencing financial setbacks and several Christian organizations dealing with tough financial issues. To learn of these things, I never had to even turn on any media.
The Apostle Paul knew that life is tough. He sailed the rough waves of shipwreck and the terrors of people out to kill him. Friends were martyred and people he loved and nurtured in the faith suffered for their beliefs. Yet in spite of all the "bad things" he saw happening around him, Paul wrote, "... we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
How do you see life? Do you assume that all is hopeless, bad stuff happens and then we die? Or do you believe what the Bible teaches that God knows what He is doing and where this is all going? If God is God, believe in the latter. There you will find peace for your soul, even if you do not understand why God would allow these things.
Contributed by Michael Ullrich. Michael has served in pastoral ministry since 1979. His weekly devotional column appears in numerous newspapers, magazines and online publications, as well as on his Web site. He and his wife, Bonita, have seven children.
