I'm not a scientist or an astronomer and don't have any background knowledge past what I would have learned in high school and college regarding how scientists believe the universe works, but I do believe there is an easy answer, especially when you consider all of the details of every big and little thing on earth and beyond.
As I was reading this morning, Nellie stumbled out of bed at 5:50, her eyes half open and the small moans that came from her tired little body made me think that maybe, just maybe, I could bring her back to her bed and get her to sleep just a bit more after the late night we had. As I was lying next to her for a minute in hopes she would drift back to sleep, something someone said at one point popped in my head. It was about the universe. How the universe works for your good, if you let it. I wasn't sure why I had thought about it, but there is was, on my mind. I've learned to ask God questions when I don't understand something or why something came to my mind and this time wasn't any different. I was finally able to sneak out and leave Nellie to the darkness of her room and settle back into my reading chair. I decided I would open up the book I've been reading and the first sentence said, "The ultimate goal of the universe is to show the glory of God." That is not the universe. That is God. He is a God that answers questions when you ask Him, wether that be through a circumstance, a scripture or in this case, a book.
"Everything comes from God alone, Everything lives by His power and everything is for His glory." Romans 11:36
"The Lord has made everything for His own purposes." Proverbs 16:4
It seems as if people put the same hope in the universe as I put in my God. The God that healed me when I was sick. The God that is breaking off fear from my life and allowing me to live in the freedom he designed me to live in, the same fear that came from what I this world tried to tell me true. The God that restores relationships, transforms our minds, teaches us through His living word and personal relationship with us what our purpose is, the same purpose he had for us before we were even born. Our time here on earth is not to be wasted. Dr. Rick Warren outlines in his book ways to bring Him glory and as I understand it, ways to spend my time on earth, which include,
Worship- Webster defines worship as to show reverence or adoration ... this is not just by singing and praising Him, but a lifestyle of enjoying Him, loving Him and giving ourselves be used for His purposes. The same purpose He gave us before we were born. Just like an inventor knows how to work his invention, our creator, God, is the only one who knows how to use us. When we seek Him, we will find Him.
Love one another- God sent His son as an act of love. His son, Jesus, came to the earth to teach us what this means. Above all else, love one another. "Accept each other as I have accepted you and God will be glorified." Romans 15:7
Becoming like Christ - continue to be transformed. I am a new creation in Christ (2 corinthians 5:17). ** Side note: anyone remember the Amber that bow to fear? The one that constantly said "It doesn't matter." or "That's fine." These statements typically give off the "easy going" vibe and although I do believe I'm pretty easy going, most of the time those statements were made with fear, fear of disproval from someone or what I believe or say will go against what someone else thinks and will bring up confrontation. Although I still dislike confrontation, I am learning that it will no longer be a reason to keep silent and keep the good word of Jesus Christ to myself just to stay comfortable. It probably wasn't too comfortable wearing a torn crown, being beaten and whipped, carrying your own cross and walking to what you knew was going to be your death. A death you would endure to save sinners. He could have saved himself, but didn't so that we could be saved. To become more Christlike, is an ongoing learning experience as we continuously allow our minds to be transformed. I am a new creation because of the transformation and renewing of my mind - I am no longer who I was. think the way I did. Quieted by what I used to be. See things the way I used to. Because of allowing Hi to renew and transform my mind.
Serving each other with our gifts - " The way you were "wired" is not an accident. God didn't give you your abilities for selfish purpose. They were given to benefit others, just as others abilities for your benefits." (pg. 60) I think a lot of us realize this to some degree, but maybe don't put it together with the specific design of the creator. You were made with a specific design and purpose and gifts that benefit others, and without walking in that purpose, someone is missing out on what you have to offer.
Telling others about Him - He is more than we can have ever imagined. Just think about the detail He put into creating the world and everything it - the song "Jireh" is continuously playing in my house. The lyrics, pulled from scripture, say "If he dresses the Lillies with beauty and splendor, how much more will he clothe you. If he watches over every sparrow, how much does he love you?" He watches over everything He created, and if He gives every bird, flower and everything else everything it needs, how much more would He give us, His sons and daughters??
He is good. He continuously teaches us. He will draw near to those who draw near to Him.
As I was reading this morning, Nellie stumbled out of bed at 5:50, her eyes half open and the small moans that came from her tired little body made me think that maybe, just maybe, I could bring her back to her bed and get her to sleep just a bit more after the late night we had. As I was lying next to her for a minute in hopes she would drift back to sleep, something someone said at one point popped in my head. It was about the universe. How the universe works for your good, if you let it. I wasn't sure why I had thought about it, but there is was, on my mind. I've learned to ask God questions when I don't understand something or why something came to my mind and this time wasn't any different. I was finally able to sneak out and leave Nellie to the darkness of her room and settle back into my reading chair. I decided I would open up the book I've been reading and the first sentence said, "The ultimate goal of the universe is to show the glory of God." That is not the universe. That is God. He is a God that answers questions when you ask Him, wether that be through a circumstance, a scripture or in this case, a book.
"Everything comes from God alone, Everything lives by His power and everything is for His glory." Romans 11:36
"The Lord has made everything for His own purposes." Proverbs 16:4
It seems as if people put the same hope in the universe as I put in my God. The God that healed me when I was sick. The God that is breaking off fear from my life and allowing me to live in the freedom he designed me to live in, the same fear that came from what I this world tried to tell me true. The God that restores relationships, transforms our minds, teaches us through His living word and personal relationship with us what our purpose is, the same purpose he had for us before we were even born. Our time here on earth is not to be wasted. Dr. Rick Warren outlines in his book ways to bring Him glory and as I understand it, ways to spend my time on earth, which include,
Worship- Webster defines worship as to show reverence or adoration ... this is not just by singing and praising Him, but a lifestyle of enjoying Him, loving Him and giving ourselves be used for His purposes. The same purpose He gave us before we were born. Just like an inventor knows how to work his invention, our creator, God, is the only one who knows how to use us. When we seek Him, we will find Him.
Love one another- God sent His son as an act of love. His son, Jesus, came to the earth to teach us what this means. Above all else, love one another. "Accept each other as I have accepted you and God will be glorified." Romans 15:7
Becoming like Christ - continue to be transformed. I am a new creation in Christ (2 corinthians 5:17). ** Side note: anyone remember the Amber that bow to fear? The one that constantly said "It doesn't matter." or "That's fine." These statements typically give off the "easy going" vibe and although I do believe I'm pretty easy going, most of the time those statements were made with fear, fear of disproval from someone or what I believe or say will go against what someone else thinks and will bring up confrontation. Although I still dislike confrontation, I am learning that it will no longer be a reason to keep silent and keep the good word of Jesus Christ to myself just to stay comfortable. It probably wasn't too comfortable wearing a torn crown, being beaten and whipped, carrying your own cross and walking to what you knew was going to be your death. A death you would endure to save sinners. He could have saved himself, but didn't so that we could be saved. To become more Christlike, is an ongoing learning experience as we continuously allow our minds to be transformed. I am a new creation because of the transformation and renewing of my mind - I am no longer who I was. think the way I did. Quieted by what I used to be. See things the way I used to. Because of allowing Hi to renew and transform my mind.
Serving each other with our gifts - " The way you were "wired" is not an accident. God didn't give you your abilities for selfish purpose. They were given to benefit others, just as others abilities for your benefits." (pg. 60) I think a lot of us realize this to some degree, but maybe don't put it together with the specific design of the creator. You were made with a specific design and purpose and gifts that benefit others, and without walking in that purpose, someone is missing out on what you have to offer.
Telling others about Him - He is more than we can have ever imagined. Just think about the detail He put into creating the world and everything it - the song "Jireh" is continuously playing in my house. The lyrics, pulled from scripture, say "If he dresses the Lillies with beauty and splendor, how much more will he clothe you. If he watches over every sparrow, how much does he love you?" He watches over everything He created, and if He gives every bird, flower and everything else everything it needs, how much more would He give us, His sons and daughters??
He is good. He continuously teaches us. He will draw near to those who draw near to Him.