Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.
He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.
~3 John 1:11~
It's so easy to repay evil for evil! pain and suffering demand justification! But God says to love your enemies and turn the other cheek. God says to forgive others so that we may be forgiven. But how do we do good when we've been forsaken by the ones who were supposed to love us the most?
I was teaching a class of young children this past Sunday at church and I met a boy. He looked like a typical young person. 5 and a half years old, sweet little face and big curious eyes. He was full of life and lots of energy. This boy had been placed in foster care because of his parents bad choices. Despite that reality he was excited to show us his super cool trick. His foster mom lovingly reminded him that "we don't do cartwheels in class." Then she proceeded to give him a high five for his super cool trick.
His foster mom and I talked briefly about his sensitivity to people not understanding his speech. He struggles in school, she explained, and doesn't like it when people ask him to repeat himself. My heart immediately went out to him and I was anxious to love on him.
We began our lesson with the story of Abraham leaving behind his home his family and everything to obey God's call to go to a new land. I asked the children if it was easy to obey. They all said yes so I said, oh really? Everybody stand up, everybody sit down, everybody stand up, everybody sit down. I watched as some children were eager to stand and sit on command and others wouldn't budge an inch. Eventually all the children were tired of my commands and didn't want to obey my sit and stand directives.
Is it hard to obey? Yes, indeed! The story continued and I noticed the boy who was doing cartwheels earlier slowly walking towards me. I stopped our story and asked him if he had something to say. He struggled to get the words out. He rubbed his eyes and he said, I had to leave my home. My heart broke as he tried to fight back the tears. I hugged him and I looked at the other children and said it's not easy to leave your home and everything you've ever known even if it's for your own good.
God always, always works things for our good when we love Him and obey His commands. That doesn't mean there won't be pain! That doesn't mean you won't get hurt! But it does mean that no matter what this world throws at you, God will be with you! He is all we need!
This young boy reminded me of my past and the evil I suffered as a child. I thought my pain would never end, I thought my heart would never be healed. But God brought me through those years! I know this boy still has a long road ahead of him but he is in God's hands and there is no safer place for him to be. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me (psalm 27:10).
I know a lot of you out there suffered evil because of someone elses bad choices. I know how hard it is to let go of the pain and hurt you suffered!
I made a lot of stupid mistakes growing up because I began to imitate evil. I thought if you can't beat em', join em'! I became filled with anger and hatred and it almost killed me! I hated my life and I just wanted the pain to end. I hit my limit one day after another painful blow was dealt to me when I was about 16. I was going to end my life that day as I walked down the road crying! I cried out to God and shortly after that a friend drove by me and said hi. He didn't know it but God used him to fill me with hope. I thought about how close I was to being able to drive and move out. I thought I just need to hold on a little bit longer and now I'm 33 years old and I have 3 beautiful children whom I would die for! My life certainly didn't become a walk in the park after I cried out to God! But I have this amazing love living inside of me now. It's God's love, He is all I need in this life! No matter what happens to me I know He will never leave me nor forsake me! I know one day this life will end and then I will be in His presence forever! I have seen God and He loves me and I love Him! I will not imitate evil, I will choose to do good because if God be for me who can stand against me?
I pray that if you are in a situation that seems hopeless that you would trust God! Seek to know Him more by reading His Word and by joining a bible teaching church. Cry out to God because He is faithful and He will work everything out for good for those who love Him and are the called according to His purpose. Don't let the evil in this world harden your heart! Receive His love! God bless you!
The Good News of Salvation is This...
Isaiah 61:1-3
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
3 To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
3 To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
