Romans 8: 26-39, John 1:5, Psalm 30:11, 1 Peter 3:15, Revelation 21:4
Continued from page 1
I love God and I have been called according to his purpose. That doesn't mean I'm immune from bad things happening in my life, or that I can describe every thing I do as the 'will of God.' It means that when something unexpectedly bad happens to me as a result of living in a fallen world, or that I make a disastrous choice as a result of free will, then God can use that situation to glorify His name because I love him and am called to follow Him.
What a fantastic reason to follow Christ! Here is the man whose light cannot be extinguished by the darkness (John 1:5) and who turns our mourning into dancing! (Psalm 30:11) More than that, a few verses later in Romans, Paul writes that if God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
I became a Christian on a field in Wales almost twenty years ago. I have made several recommitments. I have worked in youth ministry for eight years. I am now 31 and still learning.
Up to now, I have professed quite a simple faith. I am no theological heavyweight. Read my other articles if you don't believe me. I have always tried to follow the example of Christ in all I do and am a firm believer in evangelism through modelling Christ.
But where I've always come up short is how I deal with those difficult questions from people who struggle with faith, and I am constantly challenged by the instructions given by Peter:
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. (1 Peter 3:15)
Rocky has helped me answer the hope I have in Christ. My faith is stronger for it - I'm a fighter now. I can take the punches along the way. I will go the distance.
Because we live in a fallen world it's broken and full of sin and bad stuff happens. But God is good and good will prevail. (Revelation 21:4)
We have the victory.
The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.