“…to become conformed to the image of His Son…” Romans 8:29
(This is adapted from a dear friend, Bob Lehman.)
What’s your first thought when things don’t go your way? Is it disbelief? Maybe it’s anger? Is it resignation to the situation? The reason I ask that question of you is because I ask myself the same question.
Sometimes we just want some settling in our hearts and/or in our minds, especially when things might be erratic or challenging.
Here is a little insight and comfort in the midst of a difficult or perplexing situation. It’s Romans 8:28-29. You may have heard it before, or maybe this is the first time.
In fact, you may have memorized it:
“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. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.”
It seems to me that those verses are about one of the basic truths that every Christ follower needs to understand: “What is God’s purpose for my life in this moment?” Is it about me helping, me learning to trust, me being obedient, or me following through?
When we fully understand what God’s purpose for our life is, then we’re going to understand why He allows uncomfortable changes, awkward situations, or difficult circumstances in our lives. It requires that I look at my life through the lens of a biblical worldview and not a secular worldview. It’s the attitude that says, “I don’t understand everything fully, but somehow and in some way, GOD’S GOT THIS. And He’s going to use it to make me or conform me to the image of Jesus Christ.”
If we’re honest with ourselves, we know this intuitively. The passage begins with “And we know.” That’s the Greek word for “experiential” knowledge. We don’t hope, wish, want, desire, or guess. We know.