July 3

Romans 8

"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 can recall memorizing this verse in Sunday school early on. It is one thing to know the words and to be able to repeat them for a prize, it is another to know the words and understand the truth behind them. When I think of this verse, I automatically think of hard times-maybe because this is when I tend to hear it. If I am going through a bad time, or a friend has hit a rough patch, why is it this verse that is offered? I think this verse is a reminder that when we give our life to God, He is going to protect us and look over us as His own. What we often forget is that by accepting God's gift, it doesn't mean that everything in life is going to go smoothly and perfectly-that is not what God promised us. Paul tells us, that despite the things we may go through, we are not alone, we are never separated from God's love. That despite the troubles and turmoils we may have here on earth, there is a kingdom waiting for us in Heaven. That is the 'good' in all of this; the promise of a place in Heaven, the promise that our souls will be raised and will live forever, that they will not have to know death.

-Jenni