For Better or For Worse

Have you ever faced a time in your life where it felt like nothing seemed to be working in your favor? I have. In fact, I am walking through one right now. Sometimes I feel no matter how positive I try to be, no matter how many books I read, or people I try to connect with at the end of the day, I come up empty. I don’t understand why God allows situations I can’t control to leave me sucker-punched and struggling to breathe.

Although I’ve admittedly found myself in a state of self-pity and woe-is-me mentality, I know there is nothing I am facing that God is not using to prepare me for what lies ahead. The same God who created the stars and knows them by name created me and put thought into how to best prepare me for the purpose He has placed me here to fulfill. 

On my wedding day, I made a vow to love “for better, or for worse” I could have never imagined how cruel life was going to actually get. Although I had no way of knowing what the future would hold for us, I knew I would be walking hand-in-hand with the one I loved and trusted to spend the rest of my life with. So I said, “I do”. 

Fast forward 15 years and then rewind slowly… I can see now how the most uncomfortable, painful moments ultimately brought us closer together. We were actually strengthened through  the process. The next time we faced something uncertain, we clung to one another, rather than trying to go it alone. We chose each other, over life’s circumstances. 

Our relationship with God is much the same. It’s easy to walk with a God who we believe to be someone who shields us from all of life’s hardships, but what about a God who promises to walk beside us despite them? Our view of God can get so twisted sometimes. Our attitudes are often “God if you will, I will.” If you’ll just turn my situation around, I’ll give my life to you. If you’ll just bless my finances, I’ll build you a church, if you’ll just give me this vehicle, I’ll use it for bus ministry, if you’ll give me this promotion, I’ll make it to church every Sunday, if you’ll just…  

As if willingly placing Himself into our human reality, feeling what we feel, and ultimately dying in our place wasn’t enough for us to do all the things anyway. He is not just longing for a personal relationship, He is longing for a union with His people. People who know and understand who He is, how He loves and the beauty of a life lived for His glory.  

I can hear God saying, “If you will, I will” If you will take the dark places you’ve faced and use them to shine a light for those around you, I will turn your pain into purpose. If you will abandon all of your hopes and dreams and trade them for what I have planned for you, I will show you a future you could never have imagined. If you will bring your burdens and your cares and lay them at my feet, I will give you a peace that passes understanding. If you will step out in faith, I will prove my word. If you will bring your ashes, I will bring my beauty and we will make an exchange. If you will… 

Regardless of uncertainties, or how far away God may seem, the truth is, He is walking beside us every step of the way. He has us where we are for a reason. He loves us for better or for worse. Reciprocating that kind of love is where our hope lies and our future is secure. We can find peace in knowing His strength is made perfect in weakness and His love never fails.