A Pilgrim's Journal

Ever wonder what Paul was thinking when the same Jesus who calmed the storm later rescued him, and still allowed the shipwreck?

Ever wonder if Peter wished that Jesus had taught him about the temple tax before he promised to pay it, instead of after?

Or how about Sodom and Gomorrah? Ever wonder why they were punished so quickly when many others have had more time to repent?

Ever wonder if Elijah questioned why he was sent to a foreign widow's home instead of someone in his homeland?

I find that this is an easy aspect of Bible stories to overlook. Here we are, gaining such benefit and teaching, while reading about trials and seeming misfortune of others. And we are encouraged to trust in the same God that allowed them to go through these things, and indeed carried His people through those same situations.

Sometimes we even overlook the lesson. "Oh, that doubting Thomas," we say, only later to realize that his doubt added evidence for us to believe. "Oh, that sign-seeking Gideon," we say, only later to realize that even asking for a sign is a pretty bold act in itself.

The trials that we are going through may make no sense to us right now. We probably won't see the full implications. But I think we also need to be open to the idea that God can use our life to teach lessons to someone else. He might not deliver us right away, and it may be that His reason is to help save another person down the road, who hears our story, and who we may never meet in this life.

It's not just about us.