FOR YOUR SAKES

By Michael Pemberton

 “For all things are for your sakes.”
Paul, telling the Corinthian brethren why he suffered so many things: II Corinthians 4:15

I was stewing as I sat behind the steaming pot, pulling cans out with long tongs and putting them on plates the men held out to me as they passed.  All my army career I hated kitchen patrol duty, especially when we were out in the field.   This time it was even more inconvenient because it meant that I would miss the evening bible study. 

I could hardly believe it when I saw him coming over the crest of the hill at sunset, his lean frame slightly bent beneath the load of the pack he carried.   He stomped up to me, shaking his head and pointing into my face.  "This is all your fault, isn't it?"  He accused.  "I never get KP!" he stormed, "But you had to meet, didn't you? I'll bet you even prayed about it!"  I shrugged, feigning innocence.  I had prayed, and I was glad he was there, even if I hated the duty.  These field exercises can be discouraging things, so Robbie and I had hoped to meet every night for a bible study during this one.

When we finally finished all the dishes, we were given a lantern and pointed to a tent for the night.  Inside we found a couple of cots and a small table with four chairs.  We set up the beds and sat down for our study.  Just as we opened our bibles the lantern died.  What could we do?  When we went to the cook’s tent to ask if they had another, we were told that they would send someone around to fix ours.  We sat in the darkness discussing the bible for a few minutes before the sergeant came in with his own lantern and a box of spare parts.  We continued the discussion while he worked on our lantern.

As soon as our lantern was working, his went out.  Since he had the spare parts with him, and we had light, he decided to repair his where he was.  Our study focused on Romans 7 and topic of grace.  Soon, his lantern was repaired and ours suddenly went out.  Robbie and I looked at one another.  “Hold on a minute,” the sergeant said.  “I have to get another bonnet.  I’ll be right back. Wait for me.”  He was saved a short while later.

Funny, isn’t it?  We are so self centered!  When things go wrong, we’re sure they have something to do with US.  I was discouraged about drawing KP.  Robbie was discouraged that my prayers were answered.  God ignored our discouragement and used us to bless a lamb that was lost in the wilderness.  Stupid me!  I hardly slept the rest of the night, passing it in repentance for my hard heart.

I am suggesting that we need to re-think our view of things that happen.  Not everything that happens to us is because of us – or so that we might learn or profit from it.  Some of them are simply for the glory of God, and to meet his purposes.  What if God chose to use you to win the lost by being martyred?  Most of us would be honored.  Well, what if he just chose to do it by wrecking your car, or putting you in the hospital, or giving you a difficult employment situation?  God did not spare his own son to save you; will you demand that he spare you in his effort to reach the lost?  Shipwreck awaits those who serve the Lord.  It will be worth it, for someone else’s sake.