Reflection - "All things for good" Romans 8:28

by Rev Linda Hanson

I have been visiting Whites Hill for the last ten years for touch football. During that time I never really stopped to look for koalas. You hear rumours they are around, but wonder how plausible that it is. Koalas in the middle of the city? I should have thought it was plausible, as I did see one crossing the road and in a tree right beside a try line, but I thought they were more the exceptions than the rule. It was only recently when I moved closer and walk regularly in the park, that I have been taking this idea of seeing koalas in the park seriously. And on my first walk I saw one. Since then I have seen them climbing trees, eating and staring right at me. Sometimes I don’t see any, one day I saw six. The difference is now that when I don’t see any, it’s not because I don’t believe they are there, it’s just that I didn’t see them.

It reminds me of God. When you can’t see God, you can wonder if God is really there. Also, if you’re not expecting God to be there, it is harder to see God at work, but God is there at work all the time. Matthew 28:20 reminds us that God is always there, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

As a believer, it is easier for me to see God at work, as I am looking out for it. I am looking for the signs. I am asking God to show me what he is up to and asking God to show me where he is at work so I can join in.  Sometimes I don’t see God at work straightaway, sometimes there is something blocking my view, but that doesn’t mean God isn’t there. God is there. God never left. It’s just sometimes I don’t see him. Jeremiah 29:11 states, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God has a plan and God plans to be part of our future and the plan is good. God is always present and active, it’s just that sometimes we can’t see it for the trees.