We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

I consider myself to be a tidy person.  When I am cooking, I like to clean as I go.  Some people make a big mess and clean everything after they are finished, but not me. I am cleaning as I go. But no matter how much I clean as I go, I  will inevitably have a point during the process when my kitchen is a mess.  But I know two things for sure.  The mess is necessary to obtain the finished product and the mess will not stay messy for very long.

Often times our lives are a lot like that.  We try to keep them clean and tidy, but troubles come our way and we end up with a mess on our hands.  Our scripture passage today tells us that all things work for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.  So let me say to you, if you don’t love the Lord and you are not doing what He has called you to do, don’t be surprised if your mess sticks around.  It may get even messier as time goes by.  But, if you do love the Lord and you are doing your best and striving to do whatever it is that He has called you to do, then this mess is a temporary thing.  It is just a momentary setback while the finished product is being prepared.

You see, just as that mess in my kitchen is necessary in order for that casserole or dessert to be brought to completion and to the stage where it can be enjoyed, sometimes the mess in our lives is leading us to good things.  Sometimes we have to suffer a little before we get our reward.  Romans 8:18, For I consider that the sufferings of the present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.

You may have to suffer through a little spilled milk and/or flour on your countertop to get that yummy cake, but it’s worth it in the end, right?  And hopefully, when you enjoy that yummy cake, you want to share it with others.

Our salvation is the same way.  We want to share it.  Sometimes we must endure messes in our lives in order to come to the yumminess that God has prepared for us. This mess can become our message.  We can share with others what God has done in our lives and how he has pulled us through some messy times or some unpleasant times.

Just the other day we talked about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walking around in the fiery furnace.  What a testimony they had, right?  Well, you have a message too.  Whatever hard times you have been through, you can tell others about how God brought you through it.

I pray for you today.  I pray that if you have some sort of mess in your life that you are focusing on the message that can come from it and not the mess itself.  Know that if you love the Lord and are doing what He has called you to do, that this is just a temporary setback.  He’s got this and He’s working all things out for your good.  So, don’t fret. Don’t think about the mess, just think about the message that is coming from it.

Have a great day!