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Live Your Beautiful Purpose
By Teske Drake
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. Philippians 1:12 NIV
It’s no easy task to find meaning in the midst of loss; purpose in the path of pain. This very thought begs me to think of my friend, Lindsay. God brought Lindsay and me together as friends because of our similar loss experiences.
By His divine appointment, the Mommies with Hope support group ministry was born out of the legacies of our babies in heaven. Our children, gone too soon, changed everything about who we were as women, as mothers, and as Christ followers.
After ministering to women for a couple of years and each going on to have healthy children, it seemed as though we’d faced our trial and overcome. I remember Lindsay telling me the news of yet another pregnancy; she was sick and tired, but oh so excited! A few short days later, I received this brief message from her in an email:
I have very sad news—I am miscarrying our baby right now. Thank you for praying for me and our family. My only prayer is that God works a great miracle through this loss and His kingdom would be advanced.
Like Paul, Lindsay’s words exuded a desire to advance the gospel. She believed in God’s miraculous ability, yet trusted in His Sovereign plan, viewing purpose in the pain. Lindsay thought it of utmost importance that through this trial, God’s Kingdom be advanced.
She was walking with feet of faith, even when the road was rugged.
In Philippians 1:19, Paul says,
for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
While you may not be able to see the exact purpose behind trials in life, there is comfort in knowing that you can trust God’s sovereign, good purpose because He loves you.
Consider the Apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 1:12-27. How does his attitude toward his situation provide an example for how we ought to live?
Think about your experiences in life and answer the following question: How can I allow God to use my experiences for a beautiful purpose that brings Him glory? What next step of faith do I need to take to live out this purpose?
Father in Heaven, we come before You with a humble spirit surrendered to Your great and perfect will for our lives. Help us to live Your beautiful purpose in all things. We trust You to redeem our souls and the circumstances of our lives in a way that would give You all honor and glory. By Your strength, give us feet of faith to walk in obedience to Your call. In Jesus name, Amen.
* Author’s Note: This devotion is an adapted version from an excerpt of Teske’s book, Hope for Today, Promises for Tomorrow.
A part of Teske’s beautiful purpose has been to provide comfort and encouragement rooted in Scripture to grieving Mommies all over, through the Mommies with Hope ministry. Teske’s book, Hope for Today, Promises for Tomorrow: Finding Light Beyond the Shadow of Miscarriage or Infant Loss is a result of God’s purpose in her pain.
© 2013 by Teske Drake. All rights reserved.
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