“God has created me to do Him some definite service.

He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another.

I have my mission.

I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next.

I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons.

He has not created me for naught.

I shall do good; I shall do His work.

I shall be an angel of peace,

a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it…

if I do but keep His commandments.

Therefore, I will trust Him, whatever I am, I can never be thrown away.

If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him,

in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him.

If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him.

He does nothing in vain.

He knows what He is about.

He may take away my friends. He may throw me among strangers.

He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me. Still, He knows what He is about.”

― John Henry Newman

We may be unclear about what is happening and why.  Who are the good guys?  The bad guys?  What purpose are we serving in the bigger picture? Are we making a difference?  Doing any good? What is the point anyway?

These are all normal common questions and the author provides answers for them.  It is not only our apparent success that serves a good purpose.  Our God is economical. Nothing is wasted.  Not our sorrows or sicknesses, not our losses or our disappointments.  In all these things we can be good and faithful if we humbly offer them, just the same, trusting that He can do big things with them even if we can’t quite figure out how.  We may not know how it is all coming together in this world.  Ultimately that is the definition of faith – trust in things we can’t clearly see. 

It has never been more important to curate the voices competing for your attention.  Consider your options well. A few quiet voices of truth are all we really need.     

 

“…the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.”   1 Cor 1:18