It's Not Fair... Live for Him!

 

Read 1 Peter 2: 13-25

For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? 1 Peter 2:18-20a

It's not fair. We hear this alot; but did anyone ever suggest everything in life would be fair?

I have an awesome story to share with you. On my mission trip to Haiti, our group of nine spent an evening with Danny Pye. He and his wife have served as US missionaries to a group of orphans in Jacmel, Haiti for nearly eight years. Together they have two children by birth and twenty-two adopted Haitian children. Walking into their home we experienced love, tenderness and the organization. An  amazing experience for me! 

You may remember seeing Danny's story on Fox News, ABC, CBN or reading about it in the newspapers. He was arrested and held in a Haitian jail for five months and two days. Why? To this day there is no clear answer. No charges were ever filed against him and unanswered questions still linger in his head. Listening to Danny share his story of unsanitary conditions, unfair treatment, disease infested quarters where he shared a 10x12 cell with twenty-six other inmates, watching death played out before him through TB and cholera outbreaks, and other horrifying things kept us all on the edges of our seats. Thoughts popped into my head leading me to this one conclusion: this was so unfair and unjust! For eight years Danny and Leeann minded their own business as they served the Lord through loving the people, helping the fatherless, embracing the motherless, feeding the hungry, clothing the needy. I could feel my blood begin to boil when this thought burst in Lord, why would you allow this to happen to them? As quick as the question leaped into my mind, the Holy Spirit countered it with this phrase... What Satan means for evil, God uses for good to those who allow Him to use their story, for His glory! 

At this point I started listening to Danny with an open heart. No bitterness, retaliation, or vengeance was detected in his voice or body language. The Fruit of the Spirit poured through him like I've never seen before... Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control. In a split second these words shot out of my mouth, "How are you forgiving all those who treated you this way? What are you doing with the anger and bitterness that could have become embedded within your soul for life?" He looked at me and calmly replied... 

"I don't have it in me to forgive or let go of these unfair acts my family has endured. It's only through God's grace and mercy. God has performed a true miracle in my heart. Anything you see in me has come from Him. Because of this situation, God has opened the door to a new prison ministry for me. I am now good friends with the guards and visit with the inmates on a regular basis providing them medicines, food, Bibles and God's love. You see, I understand what they are experiencing and know how to minister to them in a way I wouldn't have known before."

For a brief second, I knew I was with a "modern day Paul." A lump slowly formed in my throat. In silence praised the Lord. The blessing of meeting a man and his wife who understand the statement, Life's not fair and it's not supposed to be fair. We are not on this earth for our glory, but for God's glory. 

Since our meeting with Danny my heart hasn't rested. My mind continues to recall each pivotal conversations. My soul rejoices from getting a glimpse of this inspirational family. I am changed because someone chose to live out God's Word in the flesh. Humbleness envelopes me when I think of God giving our team the gift of visiting with a man who is out of the box when it comes to his faith walk with Jesus!

As you know we are working our way through 1 Peter. God's timing is always perfect! The Lord handed me an unforgettable life lesson for this week's devotional on 1 Peter:13-25. No better block of scripture could speak of Danny and Leeann's story more clearly than 1 Peter 2:20b-24...

But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth. When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.

I still have trouble catching my breath after this life changing experience. Before opening my Bible this morning, I asked the Lord to direct my writing path. He already had it figured out for me. I just needed to follow. I thank Jesus for the daily life lessons He gives us. May our eyes be open to see each one. May we not be so focused on our own agendas that we miss His teaching in the midst of our daily activities. 

The "Whole" Pye Family in Jacmel, Haiti

The challenge for all of us is to follow Danny's example... When Life's Not Fair embrace the moment, accept the fact it's not supposed to be. It wasn't fair for Jesus, so why should we expect anything different? Look for His purposes in the unjust situation and allow God to use them for His glory. For more on the Pye Family go to... http://pyesinhaiti.blogspot.com/.

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From My Heart to Yours,

Carla McDougal
Founder of Reflective Life Ministries
Author of Reflecting Him
www.reflectivelifeministries.org