Purposes

    In the flower bed, in our side yard, the colors of the summer flowers are nothing but a memory. The ground seemed a little forlorn. Then we noticed some color. A visit to the area revealed some Surprise Lilies, perhaps so named because, when all the summer flowers wither and die, surprise! 

                                                                       Here they come

   When all seems to be turning bleak, these flowers bring back life to the garden and kitchen table.

   Just as a surprise bit of living color reminds us of the truth of our perspective, often we need a different way of analyzing what is going on around us.

   Let me take you on a different path:

   A few months back, an email popped up, unbidden I might add, on my screen. It pointed my attention to a short video entitled World in 3. This was a 3 minute video giving a quick view of world news. 

   I began watching each morning, getting a summary, and then moving on to my day. 

   The narrator always ended the program with these words:

   "Whatever the News, The Purpose of The Lord will Stand"   

   I liked that statement. To me it could be paraphrased:

   'Regardless of how bad the news sounded, behind the headlines there lurked a truth that should not be missed'.

   Father Tim, in the Mitford books by Jan Karon, is reminded by his new wife that he should always pray the prayer that never fails:

   "Thy Will Be Done"

   The ultimate truth of what will happen this day, or any day in the future, is what was, and is, God's Will. In the past, the present, and the future, events have happened, are happening, and will happen as He directs, and as He purposes.

   Psalm 33:10-11 states:

10 The Lord foils the plans of the nations;
    he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
11 But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
    the purposes of his heart through all generations.

   Sometimes I may question the motives and wonder why events occurred, but I should not question the goodness of God's heart. 

   It should be enough to affirm that He is in control of all, and He has the best in mind for those who love Him.

   When I pray "Thy Will Be Done", it isn't, or should not be, with a sense of resignation, but a wanting to be a part of His Plan, of His Will.

   With that, I am acknowledging that His Purposes Will Stand.

   What is my responsibility? 

      Love God with everything

      Love my Neighbor

   Pretty easy to type this out on the computer, but living it?

   The Purpose of the Lord will Stand

   where do you and I?