Can't Rush a Happy Ending

I don’t think I will ever rejoice over the struggle, but I do rejoice over what He does in the struggle

August 27

Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers is one of my favorite books. I have read it several times and each time I see something new. It is inspired by the book of Hosea, set in the California gold rush of the 1850’s. I don’t want to spoil the story, so I’m not going to mention specific details, I would rather if you read the story yourself and see what God says to you.

Every other time I have read this wonderful story I would struggle with all the ups and downs, all the suffering. I hated all the heartache and trials. I just wanted God to hurry the process. I didn’t want so much of the struggle. Can't we get just get to the happy ending? But this time I understood why. There was so much work that needed to be done. So much healing and restoration that had to take place. God was always at work, it ca n just be a slow process. Our Father isn’t after a quick fix. He wants deep and profound healing. He wants us to be whole. I realize I have always struggled with this desire for God to be more of a magician. Wave a magic wand and all is divine. I want to live in the Garden. But we do not live in the Garden. It is God’s great love for us and His mercy that He allows us to go through these struggles because so much is learned in the struggle. So much is gained. So much would be lost if we didn’t go through the fires. My perspective has changed. I don’t think I will ever rejoice over the struggle, but I do rejoice over what He does in the struggle. Every time I would read this book I would think, Why does it have to take so long for things to work out? Why so much sorrow? It would feel so unnecessary. I was so wrong. It was all necessary. So much was gained. And even though it is just a story I think I finally understand and accept all that needed to happen.