WHAT'S THE PURPOSE, LORD?

For the last couple of weeks, I have been wondering why is it that Jonathan had to go through so many tragic moments, (and happy ones), trials and tribulations, his episode of fits when he was dehydrated, the pneumonia illnesses he endured earlier in his life, the nose tube, the feeding button and finally this "adventure" with the chinese medicine.

When we had to go through what we went through, there was always this question "why Lord?".

But now I know why ...

My friend's daughter recently had to have an ng tube inserted through her nose for feeding. She asked me for tips and advice and I was glad I could help her. Then while feeding Jonathan one day, it suddenly dawned on me why Jonathan had to go through this stage of his life more than 3 years ago.

It was so clear cut and the answer was this : "So that you can help others who may have to go through the same situation."

Then this morning, I got a daily dose of spiritual food from Max Lucado on a totally different level of revelation. It was sort of like a confirmation for me. So now I know ...

ps I may just go buy the book FEARLESS

Make Friends With Whatever’s Next

by Max Lucado

Embrace it. Accept it. Don’t resist it. Change is not only a part of life; change is a necessary part of God’s strategy. To use us to change the world, he alters our assignments. Gideon: from farmer to general; Mary: from peasant girl to the mother of Christ; Paul: from local rabbi to world evangelist. God transitioned Joseph from a baby brother to an Egyptian prince. He changed David from a a shepherd to a king. Peter wanted to fish the Sea of Galilee. God called him to lead the first church. God makes reassignments.

But, someone might ask, what about the tragic changes God permits? Some seasons make no sense…do such moments serve a purpose?

They do if we see them from an eternal perspective. What makes no sense in this lie will make perfect sense in the next. I have proof: you in the womb.

I know you don’t remember this prenatal season, so let me remind you what happened during it. Every gestation day equipped you for your earthly life. Your bones solidified, your eyes developed, the umbilical cord transported nutrients into your growing frame…for what reason? So you might remain enwombed? Quite the contrary. Womb time equipped you for earth time, suited you up for your postpartum existence.

Some prenatal features went unused before birth. You grew a nose but didn’t breathe. Eyes developed, but could you see? Your tongue, toenails, and crop of hair served no function in your mother’s belly. But aren’t you glad you have them now?

Certain chapters in this life seem so unnecessary, like nostrils on the preborn. Suffering. Loneliness. Disease. Holocausts. Martyrdom. Monsoons. If we assume this world exists just for pregrave happiness, these atrocities disqualify it from doing so. But what if this earth is the womb? Might these challenges, severe as they may be, serve to prepare us, equip us for the world to come? As Paul wrote, “These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing” (2 Cor. 4:17 CEV).