I remember when I was still studying and I couldn’t find an assignment I did days ago for our Chemistry subject. Back then, this professor was not only my class adviser, she was also our batch adviser and need be to mention, the most TERROR teacher I’ve met. No kidding, even my mom was afraid of her! So going back, I couldn’t find my assignment. And knowing that I’ve already accomplished it beforehand, I didn’t look for it until the night before we should submit it. Talk about MAXIMUM stress and fear.
This article was inspired by my devotion in Luke chapter 15 when the Bible talks about the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and the Lost Son. It was a reminder for me that when our hearts are lost in the world, God searches and waits patiently for us.
I also had a similar incident this week. I couldn’t find my white gold necklace. This was given to me by someone very special. First, I checked my bag as a reflex on where I most probably have placed it. When I couldn’t find it there, I started recounting my steps and thought hard. I searched through all of the places I could remember. Still, no necklace. Throughout the search, I’ve been praying to God to help me find it. I also told Him, “Please don’t let me lose the necklace, I know how hurt Sean would feel if I tell him.” When I was running out of memories on probable places, I asked people if anyone could have seen it. Unfortunately, no one did.
The necklace meant more than just a possession. It was a gift from a loved one. It also served as a souvenir of our first trip abroad with friends. And it served as a reminder of good times together. For me, it also meant sacrificial giving from Sean; a gift of love. And I know I have to be painfully honest to him about this.
He called early that day saying he had his car vacuumed and found the necklace by the passenger seat floor. I immediately praised God as he spoke and told him I was trying to muster up the courage to tell him I lost the necklace. I was deeply overjoyed, thankful and grateful to God and to him. It could have fallen on the streets and it would’ve been gone forever!
Reading Chapter 15 of Luke, God spoke to me on how he UNDERSTANDS:
1. How HARD and DEVASTATING it is for us to lose something; moreso, someone. He experiences this whenever we give in and say YES TO SIN.
2. He knows how PAINFUL a task it is to look for something we value and treasure. He feels this whenever we shrug away that little still voice that calls us to draw closer to Him.
And 3. How FRUSTRATING it is to lose it. In the similar way, when we stubbornly continue to do our way. God’s saying these in 1 chapter 3 parables.
Everything happens for a purpose. As I end, I never knew what happened to my Chemistry assignment. But I had to redo the work, sleep late and I learned to be more responsible with deadlines and homework after that.
God is God. We cannot always understand the reason behind things HE allows. But believe and have faith that IT IS FOR OUR GOOD AND FOR OUR GROWTH.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29: 11
CHOOSE TO BE BETTER, NOT BITTER.