Patterns

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

Last week I read Model Man by Larry Stockstill. You can’t help but notice that Pastor Stockstill is a man of routines. He gets up at the same time each day, goes on a walk with his wife with whom he then does a devotional time and then eats the same breakfast. He has, or at least did when his family was younger, a family night and a date night each week. These patterns seem to have served him well as God has accomplished much through his ministry over the years. Sometimes patterns make us efficient and secure. However, sometimes they make us lazy, bored and comfortable. If we have too many patterns in our lives it makes it tougher to grow because growth is about change and patterns restrict change. If we are to affect the world around us that requires us to be creative and patterns tend to restrict our creativity.

If God is doing something to move you out of your habits or patterns as I know He is with me, then maybe He has plans for you. The older we get the more we rest in our patterns and the more we tend to think that God is done with us. Pattern breakup is God’s response to that attitude.

When our patterns are threatened we need to remember Romans 8:28, and how we can know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  Consider the nature of this promise.

We know. We have inside knowledge. (This promise is Certain)

All things. Everything, no exceptions. (This promise is Comprehensive)

Work together. It’s all part of one perfect plan. (This promise is Complex)

For good. We absolutely cannot lose. (This promise is Comforting)

Jeremiah, David (2006-03-07). Captured by Grace: No One Is Beyond the Reach of a Loving God (p. 156). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

When our lives seem less organized, less according to the patterns we have gotten use to, it’s good to remind ourselves that we are a special people. We love God and are called according to His purpose. What seems like chaos and unwelcome change, is God getting us ready for a new and exciting assignment. With Paul we can count it all blessing. Things are about to get radical.