Bracket Busters

“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:28

Today (the day I’m writing) is the last day of April.  Tomorrow (the day you’re reading) is the first day of May, and every year around this time, I think of the very corny but quite clever joke—“If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring?”  Pilgrims.  (It’s funny.  You know it is.)

However, though these two months are merging, neither is first on my mind.  March is.  March Madness to be specific.  I know the fun-filled basketball tournament has been finished for quite some time, but I just recently removed my bracket from the fridge and am still stinging from my poor, poor showing.  (Let’s just say I’m really glad I didn’t bet any cold, hard cash!)  The problem started when the team I picked to play for the championship lost in the first round.  From that point on, my entire bracket was busted, and there was nothing I could do about it.

That’s poor grammar, but you get the point.  Something happened that wasn’t good, so it seemed that all which followed would be bad.  Life has its share of bracket busters—difficult and distressing situations which seem to snatch the good from our hopes and dreams.  When such circumstances arise, we need to remember that God is bigger than any bracket buster.  In fact, God in His sovereignty never has a bracket busted. He is never surprised at our situation, shocked at our sin, or puzzled by our predicaments.  He is in total control and is actively  engaged for our good.  Though it may seem hard to believe as we stand surrounded by the shattered fragments of our broken hearts, “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”(Rom 8:28).

In every situation, any situation, all situations, God is at work bringing good from the bad, granting joy in the junk, building faithfulness through our failure, making sense of our suffering, and providing peace in the unpleasant.  The events of our lives are not random or arbitrary.  We do not live by chance.  Our God has called us on purpose, according to His purpose, and He has divine reasons for all that happens in the lives of those who love Him.

So, the next time you find yourself living through a bracket buster, remember that God is there with you, and He is busy working for your good.

(And by the way, feel free to pass along the joke!)