To be honest, I’m not very good with details.  I never have been. My wife Shannon handles all of that.  I’ll say, “I need to go to the doctor this week.”  Shannon will call an hour later and say, “You have an appointment Thursday at 10:30.”  I cover all the broad concerns.  I try to make sure we have enough money for the bills, but I don’t know which bills need to be paid.  I want to make sure we have a roof over our heads.  Shannon makes it a home.  I help where I can with our church’s R.U. program and want to make sure nothing, or no one gets left out.  Shannon keeps the records and orders all the supplies needed so that nothing is left out.  Shannon and I work together and compliment each other in our marriage and in our lives.

While talking to Dr. George Zarris of Christian Radio International this week, he said something that stuck in my mind.  “God is never on vacation.”  After I got off the phone, I sat and thought about that statement and how true it is.

As I said, Shannon and I compliment each other.  I truly love her and can’t imagine my life without her.  But it took three missed job opportunities, a failed marriage, a military family, and shopping for one specific gift for my mother before we could even meet.  God was literally working before we were born so that twenty-eight years into our lives, our paths would cross.  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) All of the disappointments, the depressing days, and the broken relationships were God’s tools.  They helped to shape how I think and molded me into the person I am.  They also led to one of the biggest blessings God has given me.  The people in our lives today are not there by chance; the good, the bad, and the spiritually challenged.  God has chosen these particular people to be in our lives at this particular time for a reason.  They will help us, direct us, and give us support.  Some are there to show us what not to do, and how we shouldn’t react.  Likewise, we have been brought into their lives for the same reasons.  The end result is to bring us both closer to God.

I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)  God strengthens us through the Holy Spirit in us, but He also strengthens us by those around us; either through support and prayers or through hardships and trials.  Jesus said, But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. (Matthew 5: 44)  We often wonder why we should do this or how we are supposed to do it.  We need to remember that there is a reason those people are in our lives and that they are just as important to God’s plan for us as those we cherish.

“But Cary, you should see how this guy treats me and his other employees.  I’ll bet you wouldn’t pray for him either.”  Well, it could be that God has put you in his life to show him how a Christian treats his fellow man.  It could be that God has put him in your life to make you stronger in your resolve.  Or it could be that he is already a Christian, but he is just as bad at showing it as the rest of us.  We don’t have to know God’s plan for our lives, God knows.  Just know that everyone that crosses our path in life is working for Him, whether they know it or not.  How can you be so sure?  Our lives are a team effort and God is never on vacation.