I was leaving one night out of the movie theater walking to my vehicle, and I noticed there was bird poop all on my windshield all on the top of my truck and I’m like what in the world happened. As I’m looking around, I noticed that no one else’s vehicles had bird poop on it. In my disbelief, I’m kind of looking around like what in the world is going on. If I am honest, I sometimes feel like my vehicle and that bird poop. My vehicle represents my life and life’s trials and tribulations represents the bird poop. Have you ever felt like you were the only one getting bombarded with poop while everyone else is just walking through a field of lilies and some flowers and, the beauty of nature? 

As I’m in my truck, headed home that particular night the spirit reminded me all things and we all know it very, very well. Romans 8:28 is part of Paul’s letter to the Romans, where he writes to encourage and strengthen the faith of believers in Rome. He made this declaration in verse 28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” From being beaten, shipwrecked, thrown in prison, and hated for the Gospel of Jesus, I can say that Paul knew a thing or two y’all about bird poop and could connect with us about life’s unpredictable messes.

John the Baptist, who was a pivotal figure in the New Testament, faced numerous unpredictable messes throughout his life. From being outspoken in criticizing Herod’s unlawful marriage to Herodias to being arrested and later executed, this was a hardship and a great moment of uncertainty. (“Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for John had been saying to him: ‘It is not lawful for you to have her.'” Matthew 14:3-4) (“She went out and said to her mother, ‘What shall I ask for?’ ‘The head of John the Baptist,’ she answered. At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: ‘I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.'” Mark 6:24-25)

For the believer, despite life’s unpredictable messes, we can cling to Proverbs 3:5-6 that encourages us to trust in God, even when life is unpredictable. It says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

We can handle life’s messes through prayer and seeking God’s peace. according to Philippians 4:6-7. It encourages us to avoid anxiety by praying with thanksgiving, which results in experiencing God’s peace that surpasses understanding, guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7)

For us today, we can have confidence in Jesus that He will not leave us nor forsake us during life’s unpredictable messes. (“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'” Hebrews 13:5)