Reconciled

Scott McFarland
02/24/19 - Sun AM Worship

Scripture Reading:  Colossians 1:15-23

It’s All in How You Look At It

Out West, a cowboy was driving down a dirt road, his dog riding in back of the pickup truck, his faithful horse in the trailer behind. He failed to negotiate a curve and had a terrible accident.  Sometime later, a highway patrol officer came on the scene. An animal lover, he saw the horse first. Realizing the serious nature of its injuries, he drew his service revolver and put the animal out of his misery. He walked around the accident and found the dog, also hurt critically. He couldn't bear to hear it whine in pain, so he ended the dog's suffering as well.  Finally, he located the cowboy --who suffered multiple fractures--off in the weeds. "Hey, are you okay?" the cop asked. The cowboy took one look at the smoking revolver in the trooper's hand and quickly replied, "Never felt better!"**

This story actually little to do with our lesson today, but I ran across it last week and thought it was too funny not to share.  I do think it teaches a valuable lesson, however: How we look at things often determines the outcome. If I perceive that whatever has happened to me will ultimately ruin my future hopes of __________, chances are it probably will.  If I look at what has happened—though unfortunate—as ultimately contributing to something greater, I have a better chance at a positive outcome. Attitude often determines the future. As Christians, we believe there is a God who is able to make good of even the worst in life.  We see it with the cross, as well as countless other hopeless examples in Scripture. What man often sees as worthless, useless, and beyond help God sees as possible. Most would have walked away from the Garden of Eden after man sinned, but God saw there was still hope. Most would have used the Flood to end everything because it was so wicked, but God saw there was still a chance for something better.  How about you? In your life, what currently appears hopeless, beyond help, or unmanageable anymore? Have you ever thought that God could still do something with it?

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

—Romans 8:28

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