Finding Purpose in the Mess: Why God Doesn’t Always Remove Us from Difficult Times
Life has a way of throwing us curveballs that leave us desperate for an escape route. When facing hardship, our natural instinct is to pray for God to remove us from the situation entirely. But what if God’s plan isn’t to pull us out of the mess, but to transform us within it?
What Did Jesus Pray for His Followers?
In John 17, Jesus offers a prayer that might surprise us. Instead of asking God to remove His disciples from the world’s difficulties, He prays something entirely different: “My prayer is not that you would take them out of the world, but that you would protect them from the evil one.”
This prayer reveals a profound truth about God’s purpose for our lives. Jesus doesn’t ask for His followers to be removed from discomfort, uncertainty, or challenging circumstances. Instead, He asks for their protection while they remain in the world.
Why Stay in the Mess?
Jesus explains His reasoning: He wants His followers to remain in the world so they can reflect His light to others. The purpose isn’t to avoid difficulty but to be a beacon of hope within it. This challenges our typical prayer requests that focus on escape rather than endurance with purpose.
What Does It Mean to Be Sanctified?
Jesus prays, “Sanctify them by the truth. Your word is truth.” The word “sanctified” might sound intimidating, but it simply means to be set apart for a specific purpose. In the Old Testament, people, places, and times were sanctified, or designated as holy and set apart for God’s use.
Set Apart for Sacred Purpose
Being sanctified isn’t just about separation from the world; it’s about having a sacred purpose within it. It means having a testimony that declares: “Yes, we’ve been through difficult times, but God was right by our side, and He carried us through.”
This sanctification gives us a reason for being. Our reason is a divine purpose that transforms our perspective on hardship.
How Do We Grow Through Difficult Times?
Looking back at the most challenging seasons of life, most of us would admit we never want to experience them again. Yet these same difficult times often become the foundation of our strongest faith.
When We Realize Our Need for God
During hardship, we come face-to-face with our limitations. We realize we can’t handle life on our own, and this realization drives us to lean into Jesus like never before. These moments of complete dependence often become the times when our faith is most solidified.
The growth that happens in difficulty is irreplaceable. It’s in these seasons that we truly understand our need for God’s presence and strength.
What Is the Most Powerful Form of Evangelism?
Rather than door-to-door witnessing or one-on-one conversations, the most powerful evangelism happens when we invite others into authentic Christian community. When people experience the body of Christ in action, supporting and loving one another through trials, celebrating together, and demonstrating unity, their hearts are transformed.
Showing Jesus in Flesh and Blood
We can explain faith intellectually, but when people witness a community of believers living out their faith together, they see Jesus in flesh and blood. This tangible expression of Christ’s love becomes the most convincing testimony we can offer.
Why Does Unity Matter So Much?
Jesus continues His prayer by asking for unity among believers: “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
Unity as a Witness to the World
Our unity isn’t just for our own benefit. It’s a witness to the world. When believers live in genuine community, supporting each other through difficulties and celebrating together in joy, the world takes notice. This unity becomes evidence that we belong to Christ.
Jesus emphasizes that through this unity, “the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
How Can We Transform Our Communities?
Imagine if our prayers shifted from “God, take us out of this mess” to “God, be present in the mess and transform us for Your purposes.” This change in perspective could revolutionize how we approach difficulties and how others see Christ in us.
Being Integral to Our Communities
The goal isn’t just to survive hardship but to become so integral to our communities that they would be devastated if we weren’t there. When believers live as lights in their neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, and everyday interactions, they become essential parts of their communities’ wellbeing.
Life Application
This week, instead of praying for God to remove you from difficult circumstances, ask Him to transform you within them. Look for opportunities to be a light in your current situation, whether that’s at work, in your neighborhood, or within your family.
Consider how you can contribute to unity within your faith community. Are there relationships that need mending? Ways you can support others going through hard times? Opportunities to invite someone to experience authentic Christian community?
Ask yourself these questions:
- How has God used difficult times in my life to strengthen my faith?
- In what ways can I be a light in my current circumstances rather than seeking escape?
- How can I contribute to unity in my faith community this week?
- Who in my life needs to experience the authentic love and support of Christian community?
Remember, you are called to be the light of the world. Go and be what God has already declared you are—not by avoiding the darkness, but by shining brightly within it.