He sat in the tall, black conference
room chair. Through the multiple windows behind him, I could see the apartments
which the three other summer interns and I called home.
“It’s God orchestrated…”
After two others had already
shared how God brought them to the Voice of the Martyrs, he was emphasizing the
theme apparent among the ministry: God is at work in a unique way, bringing
people together in a manner only He could orchestrate.
From paintings and college
connections, the stories of how employees came to VOM are varied, but as we
interns heard more and more stories, I was increasingly amazed. From the
daughter of a missionary whose parents interacted with Nate Saint to a fumbled
choir audition leading to sporadic missions trip and ensuing Oklahoma
introduction, VOM’s staff is comprised of unique individuals with unique
stories.
Even more, the conference
room conversation further emphasized the experiences each unique individual had
gained. Sometimes, it didn’t seem like previous experiences related to anything
the employees could foresee. However, each experience taught something. It may
have built character or given a skill set. Later on, they were able to see how
it was used.
I drummed my fingers on the
table, thinking of the questions I’d brought to the table as I left from
college and headed to this internship.
What does it mean to live
like God is working out His ultimate plan?
What does it mean to trust
God when you don’t understand how the pieces are fitting together?
I’d heard about so many of our
persecuted family members forced to grapple with ideas of God’s sovereignty and
the tangible realities of trust. Forced out of homes, tortured, and even
killed, I heard this truth ring out among their testimonies:
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the
Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21).
This internship was showing
me much.
We can plan; we can go in a
life of service to the King, but ultimately, the best place we can go is
straight to the truth of the Bible, to a trusting surrender to Christ and a
daily picking up of our crosses, and to a reliance on His promises.
My persecuted family spoke of
forgiveness and joy, despite not being able to always clearly understand the
“why” of His plan.
My new VOM friends spoke of
trusting in God’s plan despite unforeseen challenges along the way because they
know they are obeying the one who is the Way.
For, nothing is wasted.
Each difficult situation we
are faced with is an opportunity to choose to rejoice always and pray without
ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Each experience we don’t
understand is a time when we can choose to love those around us more deeply (Mark
12:30-31).
Each day is our choice to
come, follow Jesus as we praise Him for what He’s doing in His-orchestrated
plan – bumps, failures, triumphs, and all.
For, nothing is wasted.
© 2017 Deborah Hope Shining
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