TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST July 20, 2008 Romans 8:28-30

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. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

In the name of him who loved us, purchasing us from death for life with him and in him, Jesus Christ our Savior,

“Why are we going this way?” Many a passenger has spoken those words when the driver of the car makes an unexpected turn. To the passenger the change in direction may not seem to be taking them where they want to go. “Aren’t we going to Grandma’s and Grandpa’s?” “This isn’t the way to Dairy Queen for a treat!” Sometimes it’s difficult to trust that the driver knows where he’s going and is taking the best way to get there.
Although it may seem that each of us has a wheel in our hands to steer a course through life it soon becomes clear that many things are completely out of our control. That’s why our lives often unfold in ways we don’t expect and at times don’t like. Today’s lesson rules out blind fate and bad luck as controlling factors in our lives. The master steering wheel for world history and our life history is in the hands of God. To the unbeliever that fact provokes anger and frustration. On the basis of God’s word today I hope that fact provokes a different reaction in you. Instead of anger and frustration may it promote peace and acceptance. So we take as our theme: “Accept God’s plan for your life.” He remembers your destination. He always follows through.
Kids, have you ever had your hand raised for a long time in the classroom while the teacher was finishing a point and have it happen that when the teacher finally calls on you, your forgot what you were going to ask? Or adults have you ever walked into a room and had to stop to ask yourself, “What did I come here to do?” This happens because we are easily distracted from our goals and destinations. We get to thinking about some other activity or get interrupted so that we completely lose track of what we set out to do in the first place.
As believers our ultimate goal in life is to be with God in heaven through faith in Jesus. But life’s thrills, chills and drama can lead us to lose sight of our heavenly goal. Hurt feelings from getting picked on by the kid next door, the worry about paying the bills, the excitement of getting to the championship game or receiving a long desired pay raise can not only keep us from God’s house and personal Bible reading, but even dominate our thoughts when we are in God’s house and in the middle Bible study so that we aren’t listening and benefiting from the word. So easily we forget our desired destination.
Thankfully for us God doesn’t get distracted. He doesn’t slumber or sleep. He watches over our coming and going both now and forevermore (Psalm 121:4). For all of us who believe, God has a destination in mind for us too--paradise with him. Paul uses the word “predestined” to describe us. God has a predetermined place for us to be and he doesn’t lose sight of it like we do. So while you and I are thinking about what will help me most at school, on the athletic field, or to make ends meet, advance my career and enjoy my retirement, God is thinking about what will get you and me to heaven and get others there along with us. That’s why there are times we look up to heaven in confusion asking, “Lord, why this and why now?”
God’s plan is for you and me to share eternity with him. Everything he allows into or brings into our lives fits with the big picture he has for you and me. God sees what is ahead. He knows our hearts--our strengths and weaknesses. When I used to car pool my kids to school I would occasionally take a different route prompting them to ask, “Why are we taking this road. It’s the longer route to school.” Then I would tell them I listened to the traffic report before we left and there’s an accident backing up traffic on the highway. In the same way the Lord knows the future, we don’t. God plans with foreknowledge. We plan with past knowledge. “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the first born among many brothers.”
To conform something means to shape it. God desires to shape us to be like his Son Jesus as members of his family who trust him and serve him in word and deed. Together with his word God uses the events of our lives to shape us. Those of you who lived through the great depression were shaped by it. You learned to be content with food and clothing because that’s all you had. You learned to lean on God because there was no one else to lean on. If you grew up in an abusive, dysfunctional home God used that to shape you. You’ve experienced first hand the destructive power of hate as well as the fear and despair of being in a place where God was not honored. For you that has made God’s sacrificial love and his steadfast promises more sweet and comforting. Presently he is preparing you to provide the comfort you have received from the Word with others who experienced or are experiencing the same pain and the same struggles. When you recall the painful events in your life remember that God hasn’t forgotten your destination, but is shaping you to stand firm as his child. It’s not just some events that serve God’s purpose for us. “In all things God works for the good of those who love him.” We may not realize or understand how everything fits together for our good now, but we will on the last day. Every event in our lives is aimed at completing God’s plan. So when your life takes a turn you didn’t expect, trust God’s hands are on the steering wheel. Accept his plan.
Paul indicates that God is a thorough planner. We all know of some people who don’t plan. There is an old saying, “He who plans nothing accomplishes nothing.” There is also another saying, “Talk is cheap.” Drawing up a plan is easy. Following through on a plan is challenging. How many times have you planned to make changes in your life and never reached your goal? How often have you expected someone else to do what they promised and they never came through? God always follows through.
“Those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” Before the world was created--before we were born God knew us. He knew we would become corrupted by sin and be worthy of everlasting punishment in the dungeons of hell. From eternity God planned for us to be with him forever, he predestined us. The only way sinners can be with God in heaven is if there sins are taken away. So the Father sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. That’s the good news, the gospel. God planned for the gospel to come into contact with you and me. Through it the Holy Spirit called you and me to faith in Jesus. Through faith in Jesus we were justified and because we are declared not guilty for our sins, we will be glorified. That’s God’s plan.
Notice Paul doesn’t refer to any of these things in the future tense. He uses the past tense. God followed through on his plan to glorify Abraham, Moses, Elijah, the thief on the cross, my father, and many of your loved ones. Since God always accomplishes what he plans, his plan is as good as done for you and me too.
The construction crew working on the street outside have a target date by which they plan to complete the work. Inclement weather and equipment breakdowns can ruin their plans. But nothing can get in the way of God’s plans for you and me--not Satan, not your weakness, not your worst human enemy. So accept God’s planning without fear. He will get you to your destination.
So the next time your life takes an unexpected turn instead of asking, “Why are we going this way?” you can say, “This must be a better way.” Amen.