Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28. A verse oft cited as a promise of things to come but recently I came to understand the true meaning of this verse. Surrender.

In early 2007, I submitted an application to read law under the Graduate LLB Programme. Expectations of getting accepted were high and after I submitted it I largely put the application aside until a week before an interview and written test that I was to attend to be gauged as a suitable candidate. Prior to the interview and test I was to receive a letter from the university by the weekend before to indicate that I had been short listed. As the date drew nearer, there was no sign of a letter, an email to the admission office confirmed that a letter or email should be received by the end of the week. My hopes were starting to fade.

As I was mulling the possibility that I would not be short listed I happen to read an interview a missionary had given the church newsletter and Romans 8:28 was highlighted as a verse to get you through tough times. While lying in bed I was curious what this verse was (the interview had not given the text and I am no whiz at memorizing bible verses). As I flipped to the verse in the bible and pondered its meaning carried in those 25 words (NIV), God began to speak to me that it was about surrendering. Surrendering one’s ambitions and plans and truly just trusting and leaning on Him. However, the lesson was not complete.

Come that fateful Saturday by which I was to receive that all-important letter to indicate my continued candidacy, I had mixed feelings. My exterior and behaviour indicated nothing different from my usual routine but inside I was in turmoil. As I checked the mailbox with my wife, there was a bill, the usual junk mail, but no invitation for an interview. I would no say my world shattered but it was as if someone had hit tempered glass with a hammer and the fractures spread across the entire surface. I felt quite empty the rest of the day and it was a long day. My wife tried to engage me but I was rather reticent.

I began to think about what it all meant and how it would affect my plans. Sunday was spent avoiding the subject and when it was mentioned in conversations with friends and family it still smarted. As I began the process of dealing with the issue, I found that much of it was pride, and the stinging was from asking myself why was I not considered good enough to be even short listed. During a conversation with my parents I had to think about what my other possible options were. Although there were several choices none seemed as good but what choice did I have.

Throughout the two days Romans 8:28 kept ringing in my mind and began to accept it but what I thought was surrender was truly mere resignation. They are not the same. Resignation is when you have no control and no power. Surrender is when you still have options but choose to give them up. My wife asked me a poignant question, “Do you think it was God’s will for you to do law?” I couldn’t answer her for I truly did not know. On the train to work on Monday I surveyed my options and decided I had to truly seek God for what he wanted out of my life. Thus far my career seemed to have been traveling a road that was fraught with frustration and leading to nowhere. I began the surrender process.

Later that evening my wife called me and in the most nonchalant manner possible told me to come home quickly, I knew something was afoot and quizzed her. She disclosed that I had received a letter from NUS. At this stage I was rather reluctant to get my hopes up and tried to downplay the significance. As she read out the contents, my phone died as she was about to reveal the letter’s objective, my mobile’s battery died. I spent agonising minutes search for a pay phone before I could find out that I had been short listed. The letter had arrived two days late.

As I reflect on the episode, God in those few days had taught me a valuable lesson, that, He is King. He allowed all hope to slip away, for me to search what He truly wanted from me. Then as I surrendered control of my life to Him, and gave it up, He restored hope. I haven’t been interviewed nor taken the test and I definitely don’t know if I will be accepted into law school but I know this. That all we have to do is surrender and seek God’s will and He will take better care of us than we can imagine.

How I longed to see the hour,
When I would hear that trumpet sound
And rise to see my Savior's face,
See Him smile and say “Well done.”

You can forget my name and the songs I’ve sung,
Every rhyme and every tune,
But remember the truth of Jesus’ love,
When all is said and done.

Geoff Moore & The Distance
From “When all is said and done”

Romans 8:28, originally uploaded by paulncheryl.