Maybe you've noticed this phrase here and there on gift shop plaques and posters and wondered where it came from.
It traces back to a motivational poster printed by the Government of the United Kingdom in 1939 as Hitler's troops were rapidly advancing through Europe and it seemed inevitable that Great Britain would be invaded.
Some months later the Nazi Blitz actually began. A woman I knew was in her twenties at the time and worked in London office. She told of her experiences. "Night after night the Nazis rained bombs on London and other vital towns and seaports and mortars boomed. Every night we headed for the safest place to be, which was in a bomb shelter or in a subway (Tube) tunnel. Truth is, hardly anyone really slept.
"Our lives settled into a dreary, endless routine. When mornings finally came we dragged ourselves up to the streets and picked our way through the rubble, determined to carry on with our work as best we could."
Strangely, Hitler never invaded the British Isles. Even the keenest military experts never could explain why he didn't seize his advantage and put his troops on this island nation.
Brits who believed in God proclaimed with confidence, "It is purely by grace, God's grace."
If we have eyes to see we'll know that explanation also fits our lives
As we comb through our personal history we find times when things "worked out," although we couldn't explain how or why.
At some later point we may discern a sort of pattern we couldn't make sense of at the time. Perhaps we finally spot a connection in what had appeared to be haphazard occurrences. "Ah, coincidences," we say.
My friend, with our loving God and his people there are no "coincidences."
Our bottom line is the same as Christians in all times have found to be true: It is by God's grace. Remember Romans 8:28?
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Did you catch that? ALL things
The goods. The bads. The boring hours that tick by too slowly.
The growing and exciting times. The times we waited for a diagnosis and prayed for a miracle.
The will-this-never-end periods. The how-did-it-all-go-by-so-fast years.
ALL of it.
You and I never will understand everything that comes into our lives. We cannot because only Almighty God is all-knowing. Only He knows the end before the beginning.
As Christians we can be sure of this: Our gracious Lord loves us. HE will work all things together for our good. In His time. In His way.
This is true even if it seems that right now, nothing in our life makes sense.
All He asks of us is that we keep putting one foot in front of the other, keep trusting him and live our days in faith.
Handholds for our hearts
Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.--John 14:1 (ESV)
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." --2 Corinthians 12:9a ESV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. --Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
Whatever is going on in our lives, in every moment of every day we have all we need.
God still holds the world--and us--safe in the palm of His loving hand. This means you and I truly can Keep Calm and Carry On through whatever comes.
Living it out, too,
Lenore
