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By Matthew Sorenson
Guest Columnist

I hope your summer has given you many fond memories. Several years ago, my daughter and I had planned a 24-mile bike ride from our campground down to the waterfalls and back. Nine miles into that trip my front tire gave out. We locked our bikes to a tree and proceeded to hike the nine miles back to our campsite.

There was some disappointment that we did not get to finish our bike ride. But let me tell you about the blessings that I experienced as a result of that accident. We got to hike a trail that we had not been on before. We experienced the park in a way that nobody who is going 15 mph will ever understand. My daughter and I accomplished something that we would not have set out to do on our own. I could go on. Our walk was such a blessing to me.

So is our walk with our Heavenly Father. Paul says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8.28. On many days we will not understand how the “flat tire” works together for our good. Our flat tires appear in many different forms – rising costs, lost job, sickness, and the death of a loved one to name a few. 

We may really struggle to understand why it has to be this way. But let me offer another solution. Turn the whole mess over to the Lord in faith. Accept His promise that it is for your good and then look for the blessings where God has placed you.

Quitting my job so that I could move and attend classes at the seminary was such a blessing because I had to rely on God to make it work. The loss of my income meant that it was very difficult to provide for my family of four. It was impossible to pay all our bills without any income. So how did God expect me to go to school and provide for my family? God graciously and continuously provided for every need that my family had. It was not easy. It involved applying for help from many different places. But the help came in so many ways – including gifts, grants, scholarships, food pantries, and state aid.

How has this flat tire (my financial situation) worked for my good? It has shown me through a concrete example that God does uplift and sustain His children. That we can trust in Him. I could never have imagined all of the people and all of the ways that God would find to take care of me. As your summer comes to a close I hope you can see God at work for your good in all your flat tires!

REV. MATTHEW SORENSON is the pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church. He can be reached at pastor@st.johnsfarmville.org.