Would you bring someone into your life knowing that he would hurt you greatly?

For example, would you let someone join your team, church, cohort, or circle of friends knowing that he will betray you and try to ruin you? Of course not! We do our best to weed out such people from our lives. There is enough trouble in life as it is. Why would we want to invite one?

Jesus did. He selected Judas Iscariot as one of the twelve disciples knowing that he would betray Him.

What does it mean? Since we are to follow Jesus, are we to bring someone into our lives whom we think will betray us and hurt us most? I don’t think that’s the lesson we take away from Jesus and Judas. I think the lesson is that what doesn’t seem contrary to human wisdom, God uses to orchestrate His plan.

Judas was an instrument that God used to bring about His plan. Even though he willingly disobeyed and betrayed Jesus, it was in the sovereign plan of God. Therefore, trust God and be at peace even if there is someone in your life who is vehemently opposing you. He or she might be God’s instrument to bring about His plan in your life.

This person might be your co-worker. Your neighbor. Or your spouse. Or your children. The closer they are in relationship to us, the harder it is to accept that they might be instruments God uses to chisel, mold, and shape us because it hurts that much more…

Leave that person to God.

Even be GLAD that that person is in your life.

Remember, God works ALL things for your good? This includes unwanted people in your life.

PH