God's guidance when life hurts

During these summer weeks, The Electric Gospel is featuring items written by participants in the summer 2014 Devotional Writing workshop.  This time, Ben Bain offers us a very personal story about how the Lord worked on his faith during a particularly painful time in his life.

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Shaped by the Potter’s Hands

by Benjamin Bain

“You, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand” (Isaiah 64:8).

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As a sophomore in college, I came home for Christmas break to a surprise.  It wasn’t a good surprise, unfortunately.  When I got home, my dad wasn’t there.  My mom told me he had moved out. They were separated and trying to work things out.  I was shocked and confused.  How had this happened?  Why am I finding out now?  Talk about a “merry” Christmas! 

I told my parents I would drop out of school so we could work this out as a family.  Both said I shouldn’t do that.  They told me it was their problem to deal with, not mine.  So I went back to school.

At school, I dug into God’s Word to learn what God said about divorce, the roles of husbands and wives, and blessings of marriage.  I prayed that God would bring healing and reconciliation for my parents, so that my family could be whole again.  Friends offered me encouragement and prayed for my family and me.

As painful as my parents’ separation and eventual divorce was, God used it to draw me closer to him.  I sought God’s wisdom in his Word.  My faith was strengthened.  My knowledge of God’s Word grew.  My understanding of Jesus’ love for me and all of his children blossomed.  I knew Jesus forgave my parents for their sins.  I knew Jesus forgave me for the pain I caused my parents and brothers.  I trusted Jesus could bring healing to all of the relationships in my family, but I also understood what Jesus meant when he said, “For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother” (Matthew 10:35).   I follow Jesus, even if no one else in my family does.

God uses many kinds of events in our lives to shape us into the people we are today.  And each of us is uniquely formed from the particular experiences of our lives.  And he blesses us with roles to play in his kingdom, distinctively suited to who we are.

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Prayer:

Loving Father in heaven, you have guided our lives, molding us lovingly into vessels for your good work.  Forgive us when we have tried to force ourselves to become something out of line with your plan.  Continue molding our lives as you see best.  We trust you fully.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.