My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love,
so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in
order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Colossians 2:2-3 NIV
Hello Girlfriends!
I have to tell you that I am in touch with my nerdy inner self today! I decided to share some of my favorite websites with you, but I wanted them to have a permanent home in my blog. Determined to conquer my insecurity and i.t. ignorance (or ID10T as I am affectionately referred to often at home), I plunged into the sea of Google on a search mission. I emerged from the depths with the tools to establish a link list on the left side of my blog page. A small celebratory dance around the kitchen ensued. Shortly after publishing my operational index, the perfectionist in me emerged: the links did not open in a new tab as I desired. Time to go swimming again...and I am proud to say, I did not drown nor cry out for a lifesaving flotation device. No, Girls, I did not call my tech savvy husband at work begging for help; I called him to gloat! I managed to rewrite (well, copy and paste actually) the HTML code and complete what I set out to do. So, go ahead, give it a try. Check out some of my favorite "friends" and see what you think! (Sorry, mom-in-law, but I cannot bring myself to link to the Chicago Cubs; I am afraid your grandchildren would disown their mother. But I am with you in spirit!)
Did you notice the beautiful color change of font when you hover your mouse above each link? Isn't that too cool? My understanding of coding and all the other technological terms related to the function and operation of computers and the internet is rudimentary. I am nonetheless fascinated and amazed at the tiny amount I am able to grasp and incorporate into my life, adding joy and even beauty, to my pragmatic moments.
Girlfriends, this morning's experience is a microcosm of life. Our God, in His infinite and unfathomably expansive wisdom and creativity, spoke into existence a world brimming with artistry, intricacy, delicacy, and complexity. When I ponder the depth and vastness of all creation, invention, and knowledge, I stand face to face with my relative insignificance and limited abilities. I entertain doubts and questions which tear at my longing and faithful heart. Fear of failure and helplessness threatens to paralyze me. I empathize with the man whose child was mute and possessed by seizures:
But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 9: 22b-24
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Psalm 139:13 NLT
He created me with intention and purpose:
For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 NLT
He created me to discover Him through His creation:
For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and
sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible
qualities--his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse
for not knowing God. Romans 1:20 NLT
He created me for relationship with Him and with mankind:
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22: 37-40
He created me to walk with Him in goodness and righteousness:
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require
of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your
God. Micah 6:8 NIV
He created me to seek, search, and find His bountiful treasure and to share with others:
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If
you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your
children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to
those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 7:7-12 NIV
Yes, ladies, God created me just as surely as He authored every aspect of life--the ones I comprehend and master as well as the incomprehensible and mysterious elements which elude my understanding. In Him I place my trust, my doubts, my fears, my successes, and my failures. I love Paul's words in Philippians 3:8, (and especially love when Mac Powell sings them but that is another page called Song of the Day):
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord...
Yes, even my small victory today over the computer programming world is a loss in comparison with my immensely valuable love of Christ. I admit I will never in this life fully realize the answers to every question of faith, of nature, of science, or of mankind. Yet I do not allow my inabilities nor my ignorance to overshadow my devotion to the One who holds the key to the storehouse of all illumination and divine intelligence. I looked into His face and saw Love....that sight, for me, is enough!
I pray today that you too will seek and find the face of God, reflecting back to you His message of creation and His plan for your life. Know that you are made with a purpose, and you are loved! I pray you will open a Bible and read the passages I have quoted. I can only choose a line or two, but His message for you goes on and on and on in grace and elegance. Find a quiet time this weekend and spend it with Him.
Blessings to all!
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