We understand that all things continually work together for our good because we love God; being called according to His purposes.

Romans 8:28

Are we the sum total of our own decisions or does everything work together for our good no matter what? Which do you believe is true? At times, it is difficult to believe that all things will work for our good no matter what we decide to do, but that is what God says is true, for those who love him.

Once a man lost his keys but decided to look for them in a different place than he lost them. When asked why he was looking in the wrong spot he answered, “There is no light over there.” Many times, we are like the man who lost his keys; trying to find things in places they don’t exist, because we don’t have any light.

God is light. The Bible says there is no darkness in God at all (1 John 1:5). Long ago, when the earth was covered in darkness, the God of light spoke, and said, “Let the light shine” and the darkness dissipated (Genesis 1:3). Light always overcomes darkness and darkness can never extinguish the Light (John 1:5). So, why would we try to extinguish the Light that comes to us, and continue to fumble and stumble around in the darkness?

The God of Light so loved this world, that he sent his precious Son to overcome the darkness, for our sake. For we were lost in the darkness, and without any light to find our way. Therefore, whosoever believes the Son overcame the darkness and believes the Son holds the keys to life, will not perish in the darkness but will live eternally.

John 3:16 (reconsidered)

Jesus Christ claims to be the Son of God. He also claims to possess the keys to eternal life and death. When Jesus returned to life from out of the grave, he reclaimed possession of all the keys that Adam lost in the darkness; lost to the Prince of Darkness. Jesus Christ reclaimed those keys for you and me. So, if the keys to eternal life, which we all would like to find, are in the hands of Jesus Christ, why are we looking for the keys somewhere else? Why don’t we follow the God of Light, to the missing keys which Jesus Christ, the Son of God, possesses?

When the sun sets on this world for the last time, the Light of God will overcome the darkness of this world eternally (Isaiah 60:19). When you take the last breath of your life, will the Light of God overcome the darkness of your death eternally? Have you found the One who claims he is holding the key of eternal life in his hand?

Yesterday is gone and tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. Death can quickly separate us from who we love and what we possess. But death and darkness can never separate us from the God of Light, if we have found Jesus Christ. Look for him and you will find him holding out the keys of life to you.

The God of Light, who paints butterfly wings and sunsets in the Western sky, is the same God who is painting your life, in every way, through every event, and doing it all for your well-being. The Bible says that you are so loved that God has numbered the hair on your head and collected your tears in a bottle, so they won’t be forgotten.

One day, God will remove all our sorrows, heal our bodies and forgive our sins. Goodness and Light will overcome evil and darkness, which is why we can say with confidence, “All things do work together for our good when we love God.” Put your trust in the Light, and the holder of the keys, while there is still time. (John 12:36)

You are far more than the sum total of your decisions. You are a beautiful creation, woven together with love, by the God of Light. All you need now is to find your keys.

Ralph W. James Sr. A commentary on Romans 8:28 June 22, 2001