From Harm to Hallelujah
Alright, now, I declare, Butterbean, pull up an ol’ stump from right over there by that there berry bush just off’n the front porch, an’ be ‘a-makin’ real sure that it ain’t wobblin’ like a lil’ ol’ calf ‘a-tryin’ to climb up a steep slippery creek embankment ‘cause we’re about to go traipsin’ into a truth that’ll settle in your soul like sweet iced tea on a hot July afternoon. Genesis 50:20 is ‘a-sayin’, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” That there verse has done slipped into the heart quieter than a cottontail rabbit ‘a-sneakin’ past a sleepy ol’ hound dog ‘a-remindin’ us that God can take even them there biggest, doggone messes of our lives and turn ‘em right on into somethin’ mighty useful.
Now Butterbean, Jesus done already warned us in John 16:33 that this here world was gonna toss trouble at us like a cranky lil’ ol’ rooster ‘a-flingin feathers. He done said we’d be ‘a-havin’ us some trouble, but He also done said to be ‘a-takin’ heart ‘cause He’s done overcome the world. That there done means when life gits ta’ feelin’ like a lil’ ol’ goat ‘a-tanglin’ itself up in a fence for the fifteenth time, God’s done still in charge. Nope, we ain’t in charge ‘a-tall. Not our opinions. Not our preferences. Only jus’ Him.
I been ‘a-thinkin’ back on some of them there things I’ve done been ‘a-walkin’ through. Physical hurts that done was ‘a-makin’ me be ‘a-hobblin’ ‘round like a poor lil’ ol’ duck with jus’ one good leg. Money struggles that done be ‘a-squeezin’ tighter than a big ol’ tick on a hound dog. Relationship bumps that done left me ‘a-scratchin’ my head ‘a-sayin’, “Lord, I don’t git it.” Maybe you’re ‘a-standin’ right there, too, ‘a-wonderin’ why God is done ‘a-lettin’ His children be ‘a-goin’ through thangs that done feel ‘bout as pleasant as wrestlin’ with a muddy ol’ hog.
But right here’s the real truth, Butterbean. You can be ‘a-spendin’ your whole doggone life ‘a-tryin’ to figure it out, and you still won’t be able to do it. Our lives are done belongin’ to Him. Our stories are His stories to be ‘a-writin’. An’ whatever we have to be ‘a-goin’ through can still be used to be glorifyin’ Him, even when we ain’t ‘a-likin’ it one lil’ ol’ bit.
I don’t care what you’ve done heard from any preacher. God didn’t call you to a destiny of happiness. He done called you to a life of holiness. Holiness done means ‘a-livin’ under His authority, even when it gits ta’ feelin’ like He’s ‘a-leadin’ you through prickly briars instead of beautiful Texas bluebonnets. But the sooner we done git to settlin’ into that there truth, the more peace we’re ‘a-gonna’ be able to be ‘a-findin’.
Father, when life done gits harder than herdin’ cats in a windstorm, be ‘a-helpin’ me to be ‘a-trustin’ You. Be ‘a-givin’ me a heart that done surrenders to You, a spirit that done obeys You, and a peace that done goes to restin’ in Your authority. Thank You so much for turnin’ what was really meant for harm into somethin’ real good that brings glory to Youl. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Look here, now, Butterbean, as you start ta’ thinkin’ ‘bout ‘a-steppin’ right back into your day, you gotta’ be ‘a-realizin’ that even though life may git ta’ tossin’ you ‘round like a tumbleweed in a Texas wind gust, God is always still ‘a-workin’. He’s still ‘a-weavin’ good out of what done is ‘a-lookin’ mighty bad. An’ if’n you done git ta’ lettin’ Him lead, you’ll done be ‘a-findin’ yourself ‘a-standin’ stronger, steadier, and holier than you ever done imagined.
With joy,
Gwen
