Nothing is wasted!

      Dean was out bike riding early one morning. At the same time Will and his friend were out on a road trip. Visibility was difficult and unfortunately they did not see Dean on his bike until it was too late. Dean’s spine was dislocated and he was subsequently paralysed from the waist down. People began to pray thanks to the message being spread on social media. His surgery was successful and the doctor was able to offer a tiny hope that he would walk again. Dean felt hopeful enough to challenge himself and his doctor to run a half marathon. The doctor was inspired by his faith and agreed to do it but in reality he did not expect that the opportunity would ever come. However, a year later, they did run the marathon together and finished in under two hours - just as Dean had promised himself. This was not the end of the miracle. Will, the young driver who had run into him also ran with them and the three finished together. It turns out that while he was in the hospital, Will had visited him and apologised for what he had done. Dean had offered forgiveness, reminding him that it was an accident and that he didn’t want him to carry this burden around with him for the rest of his life. In fact, he wanted him to process it and move on. Will felt a weight lifted off of him and the two remained in contact.  
    I am encouraged by this story because in life you never know what unexpected thing may come your way or when it may come. Dean was out on his usual bike ride I am sure and never expected that he would end up paralysed from his waist down. Will and his friend were looking forward to their road trip and never knew that their road trip would turn into a nightmare. This is the reason why it is so important to just give your day to God. Even if negative things come your way, trust that God has it all under control. Dean wasn’t sure he would ever walk again but he lived in hope especially when he was able to slightly move one of his toes. He also had his faith in his God and huge prayer support. God had not left him. God knew exactly what would happen to him that day but God had a plan for it all. Not only did God heal him and help him to recover to the point where he could run a half marathon a year later, God also provided emotional healing - to the young man, Will, who had run into him! God did not just heal the victim but the person responsible for the accident! 
    When God works, He does a complete work. In this case, He performed both physical and emotional healing. God was concerned about Will too and through this unfortunate incident, birthed a relationship that never would have happened had the accident not taken place. 
    We can’t always trace why God allows bad things to happen but we can trust that He will bring good out of it, sometimes for everyone involved. When we look at all the miracles that Jesus performed, I am sure not one of those people were happy in their situations. For some, like the woman with the issue of blood, they even had to endure being treated like outcasts because they were considered unclean (Mark 5:25-34). Every situation was painful, every situation was a challenge but for many who came to Him in faith, He healed. Their pain, their suffering was not in vain. In fact, their situations brought glory to God and maybe that was the true purpose behind all they went through. Without their suffering people would not have received the opportunity to see what God could do.
    I also think here of the story of Lazarus (John 11:1-44). Jesus had been told that he was sick. Jesus could have gone to him as soon as He heard the news but He chose to wait a few more days before going to him. By that time of course he was already dead. Jesus told his disciples plainly: “Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe” (vv. 14-15). Jesus could have healed him while he was sick but He chose instead to do something greater - raise him from the dead! God always has a greater plan for our situation, greater than anything we can imagine or believe. 
    So, no matter how bad it looks, or feels, God has a plan for it. No, God isn’t trying to make your life miserable - that’s what the devil may want you to believe. God may choose to use your situation to bring hope and healing to many others. Your pain is simply a chapter in your life story … but it’s not necessarily your whole story. Once your life is in God’s hands, every aspect of it, both good and bad, God will use to bring honour and glory to Him. It is not about you, but about His purpose for your life and every step of your journey, both good and bad, counts!
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Savior I invite you to do so now. Simply ask Him to come into your life, forgive you of all your sins and make your life into the beautiful story of hope He wants it to be. There is purpose for your pain and struggles because in God’s hands NOTHING is wasted! 

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