04/11/2026
Something to Think About
I'd like to start today by telling you an old Chinese story. A man had a horse. The horse ran off. The man's neighbor said, "That's really bad luck." "Perhaps," said the man.
The horse came back — and brought with him a pack of wild horses — which multiplied the man's herd immensely. "What good luck!" said the neighbor. "Perhaps," said the man.
While trying to break one of the wild horses, the man's son fell from the horse and broke his leg. "Such bad luck," the neighbor said. "Perhaps," said the man.
Then a war broke out. The man's son didn't have to go to fight because of the broken leg. "What good luck!" said the neighbor. "Perhaps," said the man.
The message behind this story is that we really don't know what God is doing in our lives. Sometimes things that look good aren't. For example, how often have we heard of someone who wins the lottery but eventually goes bankrupt and says getting all that money was the worst thing that could have happened. More often, it's not unusual to hear of something bad happening to someone and it's a blessing in disguise.
Back in Genesis, there was a man named Joseph. His brothers sold him to slave traders and he was taken to Egypt as a slave. His life really had its ups and downs — slavery, time in prison -- but eventually Joseph ended up as the second highest official in Egypt. When a famine hit the Middle East, he was in a position to save Egypt from starvation. His brothers came to him (not knowing this Egyptian was their brother!) to ask to buy food. The whole story finally came out and, as Joseph told his brothers that he forgave them, he said, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Genesis 50:20)
Romans 8:28 — which is probably one of the most quoted verses in the Bible — tells us: We know that God makes all things work together for good for those who love him and who are called according to his purpose. Our lives will have ups and downs. We need to stay focused on God and watch to see how He takes those "downs" and uses them as blessings for us! And we should go to those who are in "down" periods in their lives, and let God use us to help convert those events into good in their lives.
Blessings to each of you — Jan
Centerville First Presbyterian Church First Presbyterian Church First Presbyterian Church of Oskaloosa, Iowa First Presbyterian Church, Newton, IA Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
