Devotional

Getting Cut: A Good Thing?

Ready 

"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."
-Romans 8:28

Set 

After the third preseason game of an NFL team, many players find out where they stand in trying to make the cut. One such player, Jason, found out some bad news. Before his third game, he was told that he was cut. Jason drove home, obviously disappointed in not making the team.

When he got home, he received a phone call from a friend he'd had since the eighth grade. Joe, Jason's friend, asked him to meet him at a local club to talk. Until recently, Joe had never been to church, owned a Bible or recognized that God is in control. But while driving around the other day, Joe realized that something was happening that he couldn't understand. He felt a presence in his car and heard a voice telling him, "It's time, Joe, to follow Me." Joe didn't know who to turn to, except his friend Jason.

At times we don't understand why God does the things He does. We try to follow Him and do right by Him, but when things don't go our way, we question Him. But with God, when He closes a door to something that WE think would be great for us, it means that HE has something much better in store for us. It's hard to wait for answers as to why things don't work out at times, but God will provide the answers in due time. As Paul states in Romans, God causes EVERYTHING to work for the good of those who love and follow Him.

Jason arrived at the club and listened to Joe's compelling story. He then spent the next several hours sharing his faith with Joe, and at 2 a.m. Joe became a follower of Jesus Christ. Why was Jason cut from the team? I don't know. But I do know that if he had made the team, he would not have been available to meet with Joe. God used Jason during a tough time in his life to bring glory to His name. Jason was a faithful, available servant. Therefore, overall, I am glad Jason was cut because another person came to the throne of God and started a personal relationship with Christ.

When the bad things in life cause you to doubt, hold on. God's got something good coming your way. Make sure you are ready and available.

Go 

1. How often do you question why God does what He does?
2. When you are down, do you look to God for answers or try to find answers in other things?
3. Today, how can you start waiting on God for answers in your spiritual journey?

Workout 

Proverbs 3:5-6
Jeremiah 29:11
1 Peter 5:6

Bible Reference: 
1 Peter 5
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