Stating the obvious, life is messy. Relationships can be fragile, where a word or especially a written word in today's texting society can send shockwaves through a longtime friendship. Finances are one paycheck blip away from a tumultuous hardship. Messes in the workplace, messes with our health situations, and messes on our daily journeys! Life is messy. Yet, as is the case with pretty much everything, I believe that there is a message in every mess of life.
I'll be the first to admit that I'd prefer to not have any messy situations come across my lap. I mean who goes and gets in line for a disagreement, hardship, or calamity? Nevertheless, as we know all to well, the "bad" stuff happens and it often feels like it happens way too often! It is easy to get down or to feel downtrodden in the face of adversity. The potholes of life can lead to flat tires, which result in your life's journey being interrupted. What I'm suggesting today is that when the messy and inevitable stuff of life settles in on our lives, we don't have to appreciate the hardship, but we most certainly can and should look through the mess to see the message that God is wanting us to hear. I'd like to share three messages that I rely on when things have gotten messy for me and/or my family.
First, it is important to remember that God has a purpose for each person's life. Before the creation of the world, God had a plan for Chuck Carter's life, and He created your life with a distinct purpose in mind. The Apostle Paul confirms this in Romans 8:28-30 with this encouraging promise, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified." Knowing God has a plan for my life gives me an indescribable peace and that peace gives me the strength to move forward in the face of the harshest of trials or tribulations.
My second encouraging scripture is taken from the Book of Genesis and the story of Joseph's life. Joseph endured many hardships in life ranging from being sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, to being thrown into prison for a crime he didn't commit. If you know Joseph's story then you know that through those hardships, God had a plan to make Joseph second in command in Egypt and eventually have the opportunity to save his father and family from starvation and death. It would have been easy for Joseph to have blamed his brothers for all he endured, but instead Joseph realized that God works through what we see as messy to get us to His message. "You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people." (Genesis 50:20). Too often folks want to give up when things get messy, God wants us to be like Joseph and endure the messy so we can live out His ultimate plan for this life God gave us to live. I can list way too many instances that if I had given up or walked away from the messy things in my life, I would have never received the message to "Never give up, Never quit, and always do your best". That mantra has driven me throughout my career and my personal life.
Lastly, knowing that God is with us gives me the strength I need to persevere. In Romans 8:31 Paul asks two extremely bold questions for us to answer during our daily walk through the messiness of life. "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" If God is walking with you through the trials of life, then who could ever provide enough opposition to outdo God? Let me answer that question, it isn't possible. If we are willing to endure the messy whatever it may be, then the comfort and courage we have in knowing God is for us and He is with us, gives us the strength to carry on. That is why the author of James 1:2-4 was able to make this bold statement, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Let me paraphrase that tidbit of advice, "When things get messy, hold on tight, don't give up, help is on the way!" That is the message, you are not alone, you will never be too far away from God that He isn't right there with you. It may feel like you are alone, but that is on us, God is faithful and His love endures forever.
Today, I encourage you to look inside the messy and find the MESSage God has for you!
Coach Carter
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