Thought for the Month - September 2003

Profit and Loss - By Barry Adair

Phil 3:8 "I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things..."

Christian friend, can I ask you a question or two? How are things going with you? And what about your family, friends, career, health, wealth? Has it been a time of profit, a time of loss or perhaps a time of profit and loss?

But who is making your plans? Who is making my plans? Having the right 'plans' is extremely important.

I watched a report on our local news TV programme about 40 or so very expensive brand new appartments and houses overlooking part of Lough Erne near Enniskillen. Every one of these beautifully finished buildings was to be knocked down! All because the 'plans' were flawed. Someone did not ensure that the foundations would be sound enough to support a large structure on the shores of a waterway.

The Bible teaches us to commit our works to the Lord if our plans are to be established (Proverbs 16:3).

But what if I reminded you that God's plan for you or me may involve illness, sorrow, loss of job, etc?

No, I don't like being reminded of that either!

Like you, I too have seen many good Christian men and women go through trials that I would be petrified to go through myself. Even watching my wife coping with the pain of fibromyalgia, seeing her lose her job and try to cope with the children and 'normal life' has been very difficult. And I know this is NOTHING compared with the awful circumstances some have to go through.

But let's always remember that "the Lord sustains all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down" (Psalm 145:14).

There is a hymn whose words I would love to be able to put totally into practice:

Thy way, not mine O Lord, however dark it be,
Lead me by Thine own hand; choose out the path for me.
Smooth let it be or rough; it still will be the best;
Winding or straight it leads right onward to Thy rest.

I dare not choose my lot; I would not if I might;
Choose Thou for me, my God, so shall I walk aright.
Take Thou my cup and it with joy or sorrow fill;
As best to Thee may seem, choose Thou my good and ill.

Choose Thou for me my friends, my sickness or my health;
Choose Thou my cares for me, my poverty or wealth.
Not mine, not mine the choice; in things or great or small
Be Thou my guide, my strength, my wisdom, and my all.

We will know that these words are faithful and true. Let us ask the Lord for His help in ensuring that our commitment to Him and His way is what it should be, irrespective of the transient cost to us. After all, He has given us eternal life itself, through His only begotten Son!

And let us also remember the following words spoken by Paul:

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

2 Timothy 4:18 "The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen"

Are you SURE that you have your place booked in Heaven? Read this if you're not!