![[Photo of a Scripture verse]](https://www.deankwilson.com/Blog_images/Romans_8_28_v02.jpg)
| “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” |
| —Romans 8:28 |
I greatly enjoy reading mystery novels. From Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to Sue Grafton, I devour mystery novels. I enjoy seeing how the author unfolds the plot, the twists and turns, the ultimate discovery of the perpetrator, and the justice that comes in the end. In fact, certain mystery novels have so intrigued me that I have stayed up nearly all night reading until I reach the end of the book.
I also greatly enjoy the movies produced by the two Hallmark cable television channels. Of course, one of those channels is devoted to mysteries. The other to what some consider to be the most syrupy love stories of all time.
You may wonder what do these two delights of mine—mystery novels and the Hallmark channels—have in common. No matter how discouraging things may seem in the course of both the mystery story and the love story, I know that it will all be okay in the end. I admit it: I like happy endings. I enjoy a nicely convoluted plot with all of its ups and downs. But, when the story or movie ends, I want everything to work out just fine for the protagonist in the storyline.
As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we can live our lives knowing that it will all be okay in the end. Notice what the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:28:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
God makes certain that, no matter what trials, or difficulties, or discouragements we may face, it will all work out just exactly as He intends and that will be the best possible result. I know that sometimes it may not seem as if that is true.
I have been grieving the death of my dearly loved sister-in-law over the course of the last four and a half years. She was a wonderful wife, mother, and devoted follower of Jesus. If I had been writing the story of her life, she would have lived well up into her nineties, all the while enjoying her children, grandchildren, and perhaps even great-grandchildren. But, that didn’t happen. She died on July 30, 2015, after a difficult and courageous battle with multiple myeloma. She was only 67 years old.
For many months, hundreds of us prayed for God to heal her and restore her to full health. For a time, it seemed as if our prayers were answered. Then, the cancer returned with a vengeance and in a few weeks she was dead. My heart still aches at the thought of the years of life with her family that she did not get to enjoy.
But, I also realize that, as deep as my pain of loss may be, God actually did heal my dear sister-in-law. He welcomed her home to heaven where all pain and sorrow is gone. She now is fully alive in the best possible place she could be. Her new life—her eternal life—has begun. Someday soon, we will join her there.
God had a better plan than we had. And, the truth is, He always does. His plan for each of us is perfect. He will always remain faithful to those He loves. We can go out into this new day knowing that what the Apostle Paul wrote is true: “…we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
