The Magic of Life!

Fantasy movies about magic wands make us want the good life where wishes come true at the snap of a finger. And, of course, we certainly don’t want a bad life. But God is not a magician. He sees beyond the fun and games, and His goal is to make us holy, not necessarily slap happy.

Yet perhaps we only need look a little deeper to find the magic in life, magic that may be hidden in circumstances God permits. Perhaps we’re just not seeing it. What does God see? What does God desire for us?

We want a perfect body; God wants a perfect soul. We want security in life; God wants us to find security in Him. We want a pain-free ride; God wants to treat our pain with His Presence. That all may sound hokey and unrealistic, but look at what others have found.

Vida Chenowith enjoyed a career as a classical marimba artist after a childhood injury to a finger limited the instruments she could play. Then she fractured her skull and suffered a thumb injury in a car accident and burned her hand in a fire. While hospitalized, she learned of Wycliffe Bible Translators and devoted her life to reaching people who had no Scripture in their own language, using music as a bridge of communication.

Millie Lace suffered physical complications and intense emotional pain after following a doctor’s advice to have an abortion. After 12 years of begging God’s forgiveness, she heard a woman testify of receiving healing after a similar experience, and Millie devoted her life to helping others find peace by founding Concepts of Truth, a pregnancy care center.

Christiana Tsai was denounced by her family for turning to Christ. Rather than lament her situation, she embraced her calling to be a witness to her family. She turned down good positions so that she might continue to live in her family’s apartment complex, challenging as it was. In time she led 55 relatives to Christ.

What have you longed for: A successful career? A prominent ministry? A model family? And what has God given you? Perhaps it lacks the stability and glamour you craved. But does your current situation offer opportunity you never dreamed of, opportunity to serve God through faithful service, loyal family support and unexpected opportunities.

Rather than view life with expectations of what will be, view life with expectancy at what might be. Rather than tell God what you want, ask Him what you need--and let Him lead in making magic happen.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son . . . .” (Romans 8:28-29)

Feel free to leave a comment about how God has turned misery into magic in your life.