One of the blessings of being housed on the Mt. View unit in the 90’s was being able to check out spiritual material to listen in our cubical.
BY SUSAN NEYRA
Often, I would check out Christian Comedian cassettes. Listening to their humor always lightened the load of incarceration. One of my favorites was Mark Lowery’s “Twenty Stories Tall”. In it he shares comical stories of growing up with ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and speaks about one of his favorite scriptures, “And it came to pass”. Of course his take on the Scripture was humorous. He jokes about trials of life: if you’ve had your heart broken, hang on it will pass. If you’re having a bad year, hang on it will pass. He laughs at jocks that have muscles in their earlobes telling them to enjoy them, they will pass.
As I listened to the comical way Mr. Lowery was applying the scripture to life, I realized the same held true for the current storms in my life. They didn’t come to stay, they came to pass!!! This prison term will pass. Being separated from my children will pass. What a revelation I wanted to shout it from the mountain top “Hey everyone it came to pass”!
While ministering on the Woodman Unit, I shared this little story. Towards the end of the service a sister in white asked me where she could find the implied scripture. I couldn’t remember off the top of my head, but I said that I would research it and get back with her. FYI; “it came to pass” occurs 463 times in the King James Bible! Each time it’s stating the fact that something has occurred (past tense).
I can testify that in the midst of a trial, it sometimes seems like it will last forever. Like there is no hope, all is lost. When I look back at a trial, I see the trial as a good thing. That God had worked it out for my good and for His glory (Romans 8:28). The storms do not come to destroy us; they come to stretch our spiritual muscles.
Recently, Bob and I joined our neighborhood YMCA. Three to four times a week I work out on the Nautilus Equipment to strengthen my muscle mass. I admit I do not do this for pleasure; only for my health. I know that without the stress of working my muscles, they simply wither away and could lead to extreme health issues. If I put those same muscles to work then they become stronger. Other kinds of stress (trials) can do the same for our knowledge, wisdom, and moral character.
The Word of God is filled with examples of people who faced trials and overcame them. Job, Peter, James, Paul and do not forget Jesus, our perfect example. He faced severe trials in His time on earth. But He knew, “It came to pass”. He even gave us a promise about the storms in our life.
John 16:33 – These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Are you in the midst of a storm? Does it seem the trial will never end? Here are a few words I hope will bring you comfort “It came to pass”.
