The Grand Weaver

Romans 8:28

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.


This verse is among the verses that I hear quoted and discussed most frequently. And no matter where I hear this verse being discussed, I can almost guarantee that the subject of the conversation is the fact that things are going to 'work out'. More often than not, the focus of the discussion is on the center 'good of those who love God' portion. The context of this portion is typically a feel-good, everything-is-going-to-be-ok context. Occasionally, I hear someone who ventures into the 'called according to his purpose' portion. This context tends to revolve around a theological emphasis on those whom God has called. However, today, I have been comforted, taught, and awed by the fact that 'God causes everything to work'.

As hard as we try to box our God in, this verse shatters our every attempt. If you really digest this verse, you will have to think about your Christianity. This, if read with any desire for truth will make your Christian walk a little harder; more sincere, but harder. The fact that Scripture includes the word everything ruins our chance to explain events away with phrases like: "God had no part in this" or "God does not allow things like this to happen" (As if a sinful creature was qualified to determine God's will, in and of himself).

More than anything, today, I am in awe of how big our God is and how he is capable of using 'everything' to spread his message; defunct Super Bowl apparel included.

This week marks the fourteenth year of a partnership between the NFL and Christian humanitarian organization World Vision. Every year, following the Big Game, the championship gear for the losing team is shipped to World Vision's distribution center in Pittsburgh. From there it is sorted and sent to children in countries like Nicaragua and Romania, many of whom have never owned new clothing. Because of World Vision's long-term and reliable presence in impoverished countries, they are able to spread the apparel out, so that the donations can do the most good without adversely affecting local economies.

If the idea of God using T-shirts and ball caps to carry out his plan doesn't get you in the mood to worship, you must be a Patriots fan.