“For us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.” 1 Corinthians 8:6
“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!.. For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:33,36
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:15-17
“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” Hebrews 1:3
Ah, the glorious prepositions of the Lord! By the hand of the Holy Spirit, we are drawn into the florid grace of God, caught in the current of His creativity, held in His power, and woven into His grand purposes. From Him all things flow, and for Him all things exist. And by His perfect foreordained wisdom and appointment, we are included in all things, ordained to live for His glory. (Romans 8:29-30; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21)
Are we captivated with this self-sufficient One? Do we take joy in the exhilaration of His unfolding plans? How earnestly do we endeavor to stay connected with Him through prayer and dependence, feasting on His word and fellowship? How deliberately do we join the flow of His kingdom life in our world? (Romans 14:7-8; Acts 17:28)
Taking opportunity to meditate on the vast grandeur and infinite creative power of the Lord God adjusts our mindset of self-importance and control. When we acknowledge Him as the Masterful Designer and Sovereign Authority over all, we can respond to His inspiration with cold resistance or enthusiastic embrace. There is no delight on earth like the loving, exciting inclusion of existing and whole-heartedly living through and for Him.
Humbly acknowledging I am not my own but was made for the Lord and His glory, how will I order my days differently? What needs change in my motivations, the way I eat, recreate, spend my hours, resources, and rumination? With whom would I converse, and how might my conversation deepen and grace abound?
“Thy mighty love, O God, constraineth me,
As some strong tide it presseth on its way,
Seeking a channel in my self-bound soul,
Yearning to sweep all barriers away.
Shall I not yield to that constraining power?
Shall I not say, O tide of love, flow in?
My God, Thy gentleness hath conquered me,
Life cannot be as it hath hither been.
Break through my nature, mighty, heavenly love,
Clear every avenue of thought and brain,
Flood my affections, purify my will,
Let nothing but Thine own pure life remain.
Thus wholly mastered and possessed by God,
Forth from my life, spontaneous and free,
Shall flow a stream of tenderness and grace,
Loving, because God loved, eternally.” ~Emily May Grimes (1868-1927)
Amen.
As the rain and snow 