Recently a thought was posed to me - God is a God of order. I wasn't sure how I felt about this statement in relation to life circumstances. I think of "orderly" as neat and tidy - making sense - I might even go so far to think - "perfect." As I looked back on different times in my life I definitely see times of circumstances not making sense. My life is not neat and tidy. Nor is it anywhere near perfect. But, God IS perfect. So how does that mesh with circumstances in my life? How can I believe that all things (even the super bad chaotic stuff) will work together for my good. And, that God has allowed those crazy circumstances! How does God use chaos for His glory when He is perfect? A God of order?
Webster's Third New International Dictionary takes up almost two full columns on this word "order." The second definition given is, "to arrange or dispose according to some plan or with reference to some end : put in a particular order : arrange in a series or sequence
So how can God be a God of order in all the craziness and when so much doesn't make sense?
What about families that have a child for a short time, then lose that precious child to illness or tragedy? Is that order?
What about when a child you've raised to love Jesus turns their back on the Lord? Is that order?
What about when you lose a job, then get a job, then lose that job? Was that all God's plan? Is it order? It sure doesn't seem like it.
The list of stories and situations could go on and on. We only need to look at the news for 5 minutes to see the chaos all around us. There's a whole lot in this world that doesn't make sense.
"God is a God of order" - I didn't feel I could agree with this statement so I went searching for understanding. I found plenty of times in the Bible where things just don't make sense:
Tamar - she was married twice (at separate times) to two brothers who refused to give her children. So God took the brother's lives. Then Tamar had to dress and act as a prostitute to trick Judah (brothers' father) into giving her what was rightfully and customarily her's - a son. Doesn't sound orderly to me! But, Tamar is in the lineage of Jesus Christ.
Jericho - I wonder if the Israelites thought it was orderly to walk around the walls of Jericho. How on earth would the walls fall just by walking around them? But they obeyed. God brought the walls down. And, a woman and her family were saved from Jericho. The woman's name is Rahab, and she also is in the lineage of Jesus Christ. Oh, and, by the way, Rahab was... a... shhh... prostitute. Orderly?
Ruth - Wow! The brazenness of Ruth. In a culture when women must know their place and stay in it, Ruth answered the call of the Lord and laid at the feet of the one she was to marry. Was that order? Did it make sense to go against the culture? Ruth is also in the lineage of Jesus Christ.
One more...
Jesus Christ Himself. The Pharisees saw Jesus as anything but keeping order. He healed on the Sabbath. He had crowds of followers - sick, hungry, needy. He tested the Pharisees and broke the "rules." Then He, the sinless, perfect lamb of God, took upon Himself the sins of every person past, present and future - mine and yours. Orderly? Honestly, that makes NO SENSE at all.
I also found times of obvious order in the Bible: (here's a couple)
6 days of Creation - yep, seems to me there's order there. Day and night, day and night, day and night...
Animals coming to the ark - two by two and some in sevens. Yep, orderly. Noah didn't have to do anything to get the animals on the ark.
We can see order in God's creation. Again, day and night, the earth's rotation and orbiting consistent and steady, seasons, growth of plants, etc...
The difference I see in these two lists is people. With people sin and chaos entered into this world.
My conclusion.
Yes, God IS a God of order. But, NOT the order I think of as neat and tidy and making sense. My ways are not your ways saith the Lord. [For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8 KJV)] God will use the chaos of this world to bring Glory to Himself. God will even use the chaos of this world to mold us. (See the life of Job) Again - to bring glory to the Father.
It's hard to understand when you're in the midst of chaos. It's hard to say that what you're going through is what God has in His plan for you. It doesn't hurt less, when we feel we've been wronged, to trust that what we're going through is God's plan.
I wouldn't want God to take me on a different path, just because it didn't make sense to me or to avoid the pain. I want to be on the path He KNOWS is best for me. Chaos or not.
Yep, that's super scary to say. Because I do not know what is next on my path.
Showing posts with label Life with Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life with Jesus. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
...connecting the dots...
How often do we ask why? Why does God allow certain situations to happen? Why do we sometimes get the very opposite of what we're praying for? Why hasn't God answered me? Maybe you don't ask why. Maybe you are quite content with where God is leading you. Praise Jesus if you are!
In His grace and mercy, God sometimes answers the why questions. In 2010 I had A LOT of why questions. And, honestly I was quite angry with where God was taking us at the time. The opposite was true in 2011. God had graciously poured His mercy on me and even though circumstances were much worse than the previous year I was at peace with it all and trusting God had a plan. Boy did He ever have a plan. One I am very very thankful for and content with. I still had some questions - not in an angry way, but more of a curiousness.
The past three months have been a wonderful time of God connecting the dots.
On Monday, God connected another dot for us and even though it was a small thing it was huge to me, so I wanted to share it with you all. I personally LOVE the small things because it reminds me that Jesus LOVES me so much, He not only takes care of the big situations, but He cares about the tiniest of details!
From September 2009 - September 2010 Jason worked at Mondial Assistance. At the time, we thought this job opportunity - "dot" - was a time of getting back on our feet and preparing for Jason to set out in his own business. And, while it certainly was that, I believe it was also so much more! At Mondial Assistance Jason worked with many different insurance policies and situations. He gained a lot of knowledge regarding insurance. This past Monday he was able to use all that experience in a day long meeting with an insurance company. Not only did he know the lingo, but he knew the right questions to ask! His ability to effectively communicate with the insurance company reps was extremely helpful for his current company.
As I look back I don't see that year as wasted in anyway. It was training - for such a time as this.
There are a lot more "dots" to be connected and more being made. Some may never be connected in ways that I can see or even in my lifetime, but my Jesus knows every one. He knows what I need better than I know. He cares for me in every minute detail. He also cares for you! You don't need to look far to see that He cares for you and knows you. It's all in the details of your life!
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV)
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.
I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.
I know that whatever God does, It shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, And nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him. (Ecclesiastes 3:11-14 NKJV)
In His grace and mercy, God sometimes answers the why questions. In 2010 I had A LOT of why questions. And, honestly I was quite angry with where God was taking us at the time. The opposite was true in 2011. God had graciously poured His mercy on me and even though circumstances were much worse than the previous year I was at peace with it all and trusting God had a plan. Boy did He ever have a plan. One I am very very thankful for and content with. I still had some questions - not in an angry way, but more of a curiousness.
The past three months have been a wonderful time of God connecting the dots.
On Monday, God connected another dot for us and even though it was a small thing it was huge to me, so I wanted to share it with you all. I personally LOVE the small things because it reminds me that Jesus LOVES me so much, He not only takes care of the big situations, but He cares about the tiniest of details!
From September 2009 - September 2010 Jason worked at Mondial Assistance. At the time, we thought this job opportunity - "dot" - was a time of getting back on our feet and preparing for Jason to set out in his own business. And, while it certainly was that, I believe it was also so much more! At Mondial Assistance Jason worked with many different insurance policies and situations. He gained a lot of knowledge regarding insurance. This past Monday he was able to use all that experience in a day long meeting with an insurance company. Not only did he know the lingo, but he knew the right questions to ask! His ability to effectively communicate with the insurance company reps was extremely helpful for his current company.
As I look back I don't see that year as wasted in anyway. It was training - for such a time as this.
There are a lot more "dots" to be connected and more being made. Some may never be connected in ways that I can see or even in my lifetime, but my Jesus knows every one. He knows what I need better than I know. He cares for me in every minute detail. He also cares for you! You don't need to look far to see that He cares for you and knows you. It's all in the details of your life!
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV)
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.
I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.
I know that whatever God does, It shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, And nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him. (Ecclesiastes 3:11-14 NKJV)
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