DAILY DEVOTION: "Under Construction"

Day 28: Under Construction

Scripture:  Ephesians 5:20, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Romans 8:28-29

Author:  Pastor Shahn Wilburn

Perhaps as children we sang a little song in vacation Bible school, youth camp or a Sunday school class entitled; “He’s still working on me.” For the Christian that is a profound truth not only to know, but to live with each day. Embracing this truth will help answer many perplexing questions that come in this classroom called life.

I became a Christian in March of 1976 and had little knowledge of the biblical truths that God needed to teach me in order to shape me more into the image of His Son Jesus. I learned though, that life is a classroom for believers and that although lessons are delivered and taught by many different methods the goal of the teacher is always the same, Christlikeness.

Having pastored for forty years I have learned much by observing others whom God is shaping, however, the most effective tool in learning is by experience. Such is the growth lesson I’m living today. In August of 2019 my wife of then forty-three years was diagnosed with cancer for the third time, the words that followed were words I had heard before numerous times with those to whom I had ministered: stage four, metastasized, inoperable. The next question just spilled out; how long? The response of twelve to twenty-four months would set many things in motion, yet God as always, had already begun the next lesson He wanted to teach me.

In just a few days, in my morning devotions I was reading Ephesians 5 when verse 20 seem to jump off the page. “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Immediately 1 Thessalonians 5:18 came to mind: “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” Paul was reminding young Christians of the basic truths they had been taught and to continue to grow in righteousness and holiness on their road to Christian maturity.

There are no surprises to God or changes in His curriculum he knew exactly the next lesson I needed to learn and had a class specifically designed for me. Just then the familiar verses of Romans 8 took on a new light. Verse 28-29 I had so often quoted brought a peace and a calmness that was almost startling.

Verse 28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose” God has a purpose and a plan to achieve that purpose in my life and not only could I trust it, I could give thanks for it. Then God being so gracious let me in on the plan; verse 29 “For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Knowing I was far from the image of his Son I could thank God for His patience in selecting yet another class to teach me a new lesson that He would use to continue my shaping. God never said all the lessons in life would be enjoyable, but He has promised they would be profitable in fulfilling His plan.

In this phase of construction, I have examined my priorities, evaluated my prayer life and learned to rely on God’s promises even more. I may not enjoy the classroom I’m in, nor the lesson that’s being taught, but I can always trust the teacher…and give thanks.