The Good Of The Father (Life Experiences)

 

Now, having graces excelling, in accordance with the grace which is given to us, whether prophesy, exercise it in accord with the analogy of the faith; or dispensing, in the dispensation; or the teacher, in teaching; or the entreater, in entreaty; the sharer, with generosity; the presider, with diligence; the merciful one; with glee 

Paul to the Romans 12: 6-8, Concordant New Testament  

I recently watched once again a video of ancient entertainer Alice Cooper as he described his life and how it has changed since his eyes were opened to a life with the Lord.  What was interesting to me was that Cooper did not shy away from his years of alcohol and drug use, but seems to use his experiences for the benefit of others.  Specifically, in speaking to younger people of the dangers of substance abuse.   Now, some might ask how a life of substance abuse could be misconstrued as a spiritual gifting, but I believe that this man is onto something positive as a result of his life experience.  For years in the mainstream church I have heard the term "Spiritual gifts" tossed around like it was some sort of reward given out to the faithful.  However, I've since come to realize that such gifts are just that, gifts given unto us by the Father.  The apostle Paul describes these gifts from God as "Graces" {Paul to the Romans 12:6}.  But can we see our individual life experiences as graces given to us from the Father?  I would agree with that idea.  Going back to the experiences of Alice Cooper, it is God who allowed him to go through and endure the personal choices which he made in his life.  Yes, he made those choices, but God used his choices of personal destruction for the good {Paul to the Romans 8:28}.  Did Cooper know at the time that the Father was guiding him into a better life?  Probably not, but that's the beauty of the Father working in the lives of His children.  For what we might see as calamity, the Father sees as an opportunity.  Opportunity for our testimony to others, or the opportunity for our own eyes to be opened to the desires of the Father.  I believe that Alice Cooper has been the recipient of both of these graces in his life.  In my own life, I have endured many situations where I have come out on the other side with a testimony for others.  I recently encountered a unfortunate accident where I have been sidelined with a broken bone in my foot.  What was the Fathers purpose for having me endure this injury?  I believe that in time my eyes will be opened to His purpose.  

Now we are aware that God is working all together for the good of those who are loving God, who are called according to the purpose

Paul to the Romans 8: 6, Concordant New Testament 

I find it appropriate that the apostle Paul would write on the graces of the spiritual gifts given unto us by the Father.  For it is God who allowed the man Saul to endure a life of religious extremism and the persecution of the followers of Christ before opening his eyes to the truth of the living Christ in him {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}.  It is Paul who is known as one of the greatest speakers of the gospel of Christ Jesus man has ever known.  It is through his own life experiences that Paul was able to see the error of the teachings in which he was raised {Paul to the Galatians 1:14-16}.  In the Lords timing, Paul's eyes were opened to what the Father desired for him.  And what a testimony it is!  Indeed, the scriptures are filled with those whose life experiences would later be revealed in a positive way by the Father.  Through Davids sin, God opened his eyes to His desire for him.  Each of us can probably point to a difficult situation in their own life where the Father eventually would open their eyes to something which He wanted them to see.  I recall the story of Corrie Ten Boom, the author of the novel The Hiding Place, who helped many Jews escape the holocaust in World War Two.  Eventually arrested, Ten Boom was sent to a German concentration camp, which may have been the end of her story.  Yet despite being sent to the cruelty of the German military, she continued to speak of the Lord to captives and captors alike.  What some would see as a cruel situation, the Father used that others might come to know Him through the words of His child.  All things for the good.  

~Scott~