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Invictus
Friday, February 14, 2025 by Rick Stockwell
Invictus
READ Romans 8:18-30
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
-- Romans 8:28 (NIV)
William Ernest Henley had his left leg amputated below the knee when he was sixteen years old due to complications from tuberculosis. Years later, he was informed a similar procedure would have to be performed on his other leg. Refusing to accept that diagnosis, he traveled to a world-renowned surgeon who was able to save his right leg. Following that ordeal, he wrote a poem in 1875 about resiliency entitled “Invictus.” In it, he writes, “I am the master of my fate: / I am the captain of my soul.” The poem inspired Nelson Mandela as he suffered extreme hardship for twenty-seven years in a South African prison.
Perseverance under trial is commendable, but are we truly the masters of our fate? Are we really the captains of our soul? Did any of us decide the year of our birth, where we would be born, who our parents would be, what gender we would be, how tall we’d be, and what our mental capacity, health, and personality would be? While we all have free will, as given to us by God, a lot of the big stuff has already been decided for us.
Once we understand that whatever we have has been given to us by God, we can view hardship and trial through the lens of God allowing it for our ultimate good, and for the accomplishment of his purposes (e.g., the story of Joseph found in Genesis 37 – 41).
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
God is for us.
Prayer: Father in heaven, please help our friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors who are undergoing trials.
Prayer Focus: THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING
Rick Stockwell
Rick Stockwell is employed as an IT Program Manager. He teaches Sunday school for kindergartners, is an elder at his church, and is the author of two Christian novels: THE WALL and THE BATTLE. He's been married for thirty-four years, and has two children and five grandchildren.
Book link: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07HQ8G3MJ
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