We hear the word “random” a lot these days. I have even found myself saying it after my brain was thinking one thing and my mouth comes out with what sounds like a foreign language- that was “random”. As I’m getting older this is happening more often and those who know me best just go with it. But if we’re all laughing about it, then I’m happy to be the object of humor. Websters defines random as “that which occurs or is done without careful choice, aim, plan, etc.” On the lighter side of life, there are many things that occur on a daily basis that you don’t have to over think. Waking up- getting ready for work, driving your kids to school or finishing that mountain of laundry. These daily things don’t pull on our heart-strings all that much. It’s routine. But what about those things that happen that suddenly rock your world. Your child has been diagnosed with autism. You’ve been battling a chronic illness that effects your quality of life. Your employer has had to let you go. A broken engagement- a terminal illness, ect…
Job was in a league of extraordinary men and yet he too faced the question- why? In a matter of a couple of day’s God allowed Satan to rock Job’s world. Crisis, catastrophe, and criticism suddenly met this man who had had such a great life. Then, when you and me would find ourselves at the breaking point, Job faced a long battle of physical suffering. Why? Was all of this just “random” ? Not a chance! From Genesis to Revelation we see that the God of the universe orchestrates everything with such plan and precision that the thought of anything random cannot even come close to who He is. Job learned this after his long struggle with why, and once he discovered that God was in fact working all things for Job’s good and God’s glory, his relationship with God was restored and renewed, and then he rejoiced. God, the creator of heaven and earth, and random are mutually exclusive.
Challenge: what about you? Think of a situation that you are facing that seems random and you’re asking God why?
Change: Look to God’s word. Eph 1:11, Job 23:14, Rom 8:28 and 11:33. How does this change your perspective on your situation?
So let’s continue to have fun with the word “random” but let’s remember to see our lives under God’s awesome purpose. I love what He promises us in Job 23:10 “But He knows the way I take; and when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”
“Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.And in Your book they were all written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand: When I am awake. I am still with You.” Psalm 139:16-18 It is so wonderful to know, Opps in not in God’s vocabulary.
Laurie
I am so happy for you and pastor steve on this new adventure that God has chosen for the two of you. God is so good, and though it is better sweet for those of us at Harvest what a blessing for us that we can still learn from you and grow from what the Holy Spirit reveals through you via the internet. May God richy bless you and your family:)
sorry I meant biter not better sweet LOL
Awesome! Thank you Laurie for making think of how random is really random.. in this day and age in which things change all of the sudden. God Bless You and continue inspiring you to write these messages. 🙂
Funny how God works. In the midst of the storm He knows exactly what we (I) need to hear from Him and how He uses the body to minister unto one another. Thank you Lord for not having Opps in your vocabulary. For those struggling through a difficult pregancy or any situation for that matter, please know…with all your heart…GOD DOES NOT MAKE MISTAKES. Be of good cheer and know that you (we) can surely rest in Him, today and always. No matter what.
Thank you Laure for sharing with us your heart and the heart of our Father.
opps is definately in my vocabulary however!!!!!
Laurie,
God Bless You!!! Just this morning I was meditating on Romans 8:28 and what that verse means in everyday as “the called” to “His purpose” and what a blessing to “just happen” to look up CORECHURCH and “just happen” to find your blog up with a confirmation of His Word! I am sooo glad that God dosent do random I am so glad that He promises us that when we seek Him we WILL find Him! Miss you and pastor Steve @ Harvest but my prayers are with both of you and this ministry!
What an awesome devotion and layout to help reflect on it even better. I have never heard you teach or seen any devotions from you before but I am really inspired and thankful for being able to enjoy these via internet. This devotion has really spoke to me right now. We are going through some challenges with our daughter and this really spoke to me. Thank you. Hoping to get down there for a church service one of these days 🙂 Sorry to see you guys leave. God Bless.
I remember when that bumper sticker first came out that said “Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty.” It sounded like such a beautiful idea and would inspire my heart to believe in the idea the people were what I’d actually hoped they were; kind, noble, and good. I must mention that I was a young teen at the time and looking for something to believe in and the concept struck a chord in my heart that echoed with a Plan and a Truth from long ago.
As with many of these ideas, there was something right enough about it that it caught on for a while. Initially it felt like it does sometimes at Christmas. People were nicer and more thoughtful of one another. But soon, as with many of the ideas that are founded on human effort, the practice of “Random acts of kindness” lost its newness and people moved on to the next big idea.
The idea of random kindness and senseless beauty failed. Why?
I believe the reason is exactly what Laurie is teaching us in this devotion when she says, “From Genesis to Revelation we see that the God of the universe orchestrates everything with such plan and precision that the thought of anything random cannot even come close to who He is.”
Our Father practiced the most planned act of kindness and beauty the world has ever known! He sent His Son to die for us. He became the bridge, the Way to restored relationship with the Father. Jesus did for us what we could not do for ourselves.
Through the love of that sacrificial act I have received a glimpse of the plan of God for my life and can see that there is nothing random about my incurable and progressive disease. While I don’t know why it happened, I can testify to the truth that time after time He uses all of it for His glory!