GOD IS THE ALCHEMIST

But I want you to know, brethren that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.  So that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ. 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much bolder to speak the word without fear.

Philippians 1:12-14

Life is an unpredictable journey full of twists and turns. Our hearts dream of a great future and a life of blissful adventures but somehow along the path of life, a twist occurs and our once put together life is shattered.  Like the saying “Man proposes but God disposes”. A different path emerges, leaving us bewildered, mystified and petrified! “What is meaning?” we ponder, why is there so much pain in the world? Why do we have to say farewell to that beautiful relationship? Why the divorce?  Why do our loved ones die? Pain is so intensely personal and we grieve so badly. Life is tough. There are a plethora of issues to deal with each day ranging from protracted sicknesses, child delinquency; rape, drug addiction and loneliness etc. Why do Christians suffer the same fate as unbelievers? We are wrongly framed and sent to jail like every other person. We are falsely accused of crimes we did not commit. Is there any advantage of being Christian? How can one find meaning and purpose amidst turbulence and contradictions?

Jesus declared “In the world, there will be tribulation but be of good cheers for I have overcome the world” This definitely answers the question. Christians are not exempted from life’s troubles and agonies. God is the Alchemist who takes the dregs of the society and turns them into something magnificent. He takes the residue or the scum from the slag heaps of life and turns it to gold.

According to Cambridge online dictionary ALCHEMY is “a type of chemistry, especially in the middle ages, that dealt with trying to find a way to change ordinary metals into gold and with trying to find a medicine that would cure any disease” How possible is it to turn lead into pure gold? “But the things which are impossible with Men are possible with God”

The ups and down and the twists and turns are all part of the divine plan. God’s plans are pure and full of peace. Do not be afraid, God has figured it all out for you. He knows all things

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

Romans 8:28

Paul stated in the above scriptures that what was considered a tragedy to everyone turned out to be a blessing. He was arrested and jailed. The great Apostle Paul! But Paul saw things from the eye view of God. In his imprisonment the stronghold of the fear of death and a desire for Man’s approval was dismantled. The result was that people became bold and resolute in the declaration of the saving power of Christ. A bad situation turned good!

Hallelujah!

You are created in his image. He has a great future for you. Hold your head up high knowing nothing can separate you from the love of God. God uses all and fixes all. Your victories, your failures are all part of the divine plan

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come. 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39

Romans 8:35-39