You Will Understand

 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

— John 13:7

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

As you began washing the disciples' feet, you made this statement—a statement that is pretty much a response to every confusing moment in life! When the events around me make no sense, I do not realize what you are doing, but later I will understand. When life goes illogically and inexplicably sideways, I do not realize what you are doing, but later I will understand. When the pressure upon me becomes more intense that I can bear, I do not realize what you are doing, but later I will understand.

It's not hard to look backward and reflect on those past moments that made no sense, sent sideways, or were full of pressure. At the time, I did not realize what you were doing. Now, maybe I understand. You were forming something in me that did not yet exist. You were increasing something in me that I needed in greater measure. Patience. Resilience. Compassion. Fortitude. Faithfulness. Mercy. Gratitude. Discernment. And the list goes on.

What I need today will likely come through moments I do not understand. For the disciples, a foot washing made no sense. But later they would understand. I can trust you that whatever you bring to me, whatever you allow through your hands, whatever comes upon me, you can and will use it to form something in me that I need—If I allow it. Peter said, "No, you shall never wash my feet." Your reply to him was, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." Peter immediately changed his tune, "Then wash all of me!"

Gracious Lord, though I do not realize now what You are doing, I choose today to not merely accept it, but to embrace it, even if I don't understand it. So often what You are doing makes no sense. But I choose to trust You, to embrace what You are doing, and believe that later I really will fully understand.

In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen!

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