God’s Purposes in God’s Good Time
Written by Jilly Horsfall | 4th May 2024
“God makes all things beautiful in His time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11
Have you discovered God’s purpose for your life? Do you know what His purpose for you is this day, or tomorrow? In my experience God works His purposes out through all the small and tiny happenings in our lives, and through the large and even traumatic ones. As I look back over the years, I can recall many painful, difficult times and yet, in it and through it I can see the threads of God’s bigger purpose for my life being worked out.
God uses everything! Did you know that? I just love this fact! He uses the good stuff, and the bad and painful stuff, perhaps even more. He wastes nothing because in everything that we experience, He can teach us something of Himself, or He can grow us, strengthen us, or comfort us. 2 Corinthians 2:10 (paraphrased) says, “Praise the Lord, the Father of compassion, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort others in their troubles.” This verse sums up for me my 60+ years.
Even as far back as school days I had a heart for coming alongside others and as the years passed as a nurse then a midwife, I had plenty of opportunity to hone those listening and empathising skills. However, I was also a wife in a challenging marriage mostly hiding my struggles, and a mum to two lovely sons. I had a dream to become a Christian Counsellor, but it wasn’t until I had left 14yrs of a difficult marriage and received much counselling for myself that God finally made that dream a reality. And what did I find? That God was going to use ALL those past experiences (the struggles, mistakes, losses, health issues, the pain, betrayals, abuse, shame, the depression, the endless tears) to prepare me for that calling and to give me a depth of understanding and compassion that I might otherwise not have had.
Isn’t God amazing? “For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10. I truly believe this. Whether the “works” are big or small, seen or unseen, God will collect up all the experiences of your life to fashion and shape them into His purpose as you trust in Him. I love that He does that, and He is so individual in His approach. We don’t need to compare or do what we see others doing; our purpose will be unique and personal. What an awesome and intimate God.
God’s bigger purpose is for us to become like Jesus each day, each moment and all through our lives.
Where do you see God’s purpose in your life?
What is His next plan or challenge for you?
God’s purpose is that we know Him in all things so even if you are going through a rough time right now, know that our God sees you, He cares about you more than you will ever know, and He is patient and gentle and, its ok to take time. His purpose for you will not be thwarted. I have found God to be so tender in the tough times. “God is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit”. Psalm 34:18.
But perhaps you are running with God’s purpose for your life and yet faltering or feeling pressured or stressed. Maybe you need some time aside and to know His rest.
One time I was returning to work after a break and feeling the heaviness of my responsibilities, and during worship I felt Jesus standing behind me with His hands upon my shoulders and He was saying, “I have the weight of the yolk. You don’t do any of this without me. I am always with you, so your burden is light”. Matthew 11:30. I could literally feel Him behind me, and I have often reminded myself of this moment.
God’s purpose doesn’t diminish in later life. “Even to your old age and grey hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you…My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please” Isaiah 46:4 & 10b.
In the last few years, I have been surprised and humbled by God’s kindness in that I have remarried to a good man who leads Christian Retreats and mentors and supports missionaries and such. I join him now in these things, developing my skills further as well as sharing with him from my own expertise. I am being challenged to come out from my private (maybe safe) one-to-one world to speak and share more publicly than I am used to. Yes, God keeps growing us and stretching us if we allow Him to and are open to His ways. And so “God does indeed work out His purposes in His good time” in each of us.
Just this morning I was gazing on a carpet of stunningly beautiful snowdrops, their pure white, bell-like flowers bowing before the sun. I felt the urge to lift up one of their heads gently to see what I would see. I did so and marvelled at what I saw. Within the bell-like exterior was a mass of intricate petals making a gorgeous but hidden array of God’s glorious creation. His purpose for all of us is to glorify Him in big ways and small, seen or unseen. Take a look inside a snowdrop next time you see one and ponder again what purpose God may have for you. Be blessed and enjoy finding out.
LET’S DO THIS
Take a little more time and listen to this song as you reflect on your own life, consider those things that spoke to you from Jilly’s blog.