Purpose.

Our Sarah, Michaela and Lydia Joy

There has been enough going on in the news to make us all stop and consider both our role during this time in history (tea anyone?) and God's Sovereignty in it all.

"This was in accordance with the eternal purpose
which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord."
~Eph. 3:11

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
~Romans 8:28

Purpose. I was struck last week at the singularity of that word. As humans we describe our plans as plural- successive ideas that change and alter as new information comes in.

God has one plan- one whole thought and purpose
woven throughout time and history.

"I make known the end from the beginning,
from ancient times, what is still to come.
I say: My purpose will stand,
and I will do all that I please."
~Isaiah 46:10

"God did not merely decree to make man, place him upon the earth and then leave him to his own uncontrolled guidance; instead, he fixed all the circumstances in the lot of individuals, and all the particulars which will compromise the history of the human race from its commencement to its close.

He did not merely decree that general laws should be established for the government of the world, but He settled the application of those laws to all particular cases. Our days are numbered, and so are the hairs of our heads... The care of Providence reaches to the most insignificant creatures, and the most minute events- the death of a sparrow, and the fall of a hair."

~ The Attributes of God, A.W. Pink

Silly goose!

How much thought do we give to the sovereignty of God in the everyday? The commonplace? Does it comfort our hearts to consider verses such as this:

"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD,
as the rivers of water: he turns it wherever he will."
~ Proverbs 21:1

Does it alter the way we pray?

Pharaoh's heart was hardened- both by his own efforts and by God. When God lifts His hand of merciful restraint on the human heart it is always hardened and takes on it's own sinful course.

It is not shocking that there is evil in the world.
The shocking thing is that there is ever a lack of it.

That bit of peace, goodness and softening of the wicked- that is God's merciful favor.

My nephew, Josh, makes a very cute Pharoah

So, how does the doctrine of God's Sovereignty effect how we live our lives? How we lead our children? The implications are huge! It truly effects everything from how we view our fellow man; to how we view ourselves- and even God.

Al Mohler recently commented on a large Gallup-Healthways Well-Being study that Americans in general are unfailingly optimistic. While Americans sense that we have current problems in our government, financially and so on:

"the vast amount of American feel that things will be better in five years."

Of course, the interesting thing is that these poles have been taken for years- always with the same results. The short of it- it's almost "unAmerican" not to be optimistic! Are we optimistic?

Happy kids.

Al Mohler states:

"The issue really isn't optimism for a Christian- Christians really cannot afford to be either [optimistic or pessimistic] because optimism and pessimism, unfortunately, are secular terms that don't really fit the Christian worldview anyway.

The Christian worldview is not pessimistic. We're looking at things as bad as they are- and we've read the book- things are going to get worse. There are people that say, 'Well, that's pessimistic.' Yes, but that's not the end of the story.

We also understand that's within a larger narrative of God's purpose to bring glory to Himself through His redeemed people, through the church, and even in a new heaven and a new earth. And so there is something coming that we are absolutely sure of that will be better than Eden, not to mention better than what we know now. So is that optimism? No it's not.

The Christian worldview is neither optimism or pessimism. It is absolutely confident hope. Hopefulness is what distinguishes the Christian worldview."

And my consideration is this: Am I functioning as a Christian or an American? Can I afford to be lulled into a false optimism as I prepare my children for the future?

My sister, Liz

Of course, as Christians we have a hope. A sure hope.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen."
~Hebrews 11:1

And we have a fortress. A strong and sure help.

"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah"

~Psalm 46:10-11

How are you processing things this week?


Blessings,

_______________________
Photos: Many crafts the past couple of weeks. We're studying Mt. St. Helens- more on that soon- and decided to try to build a homemade volcano. We also made several crafts- like the boat- inspired by LooLeDo- a must see site! And we had fun with my sister and her kids studying Egypt of the past.


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