When Life Is a Blur

Sometimes life feels like a blur.  You go through your days juggling dozens of issues, questions, pressures—all while trying to keep up on that to-do list.  Your attention darts between health struggles, relationship needs, home maintenance problems, financial market volatility, political turmoil, job demands … and it feels exhausting.

I don’t know about you, but for me in such times I can lose track of “first things.”  That’s why it was such a gift this past Wednesday to join our Prayer Gathering, sit still, listen to the reading of God’s Word, and quietly acknowledge the presence of the Lord with me—and with all of us as his children, his church!

We read three passages that spotlight the sovereignty of God.  In Genesis 45:1-15 Joseph says over and over to his brothers (who had so deeply wronged him by selling him into Egyptian slavery) that “God sent me here”; it was God’s doing—and the Lord had good purposes for allowing Joseph’s troubles to unfold.

In Isaiah 43:1-13 God comforts his people, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you”; and “Fear not, for I am with you.”  No trial we face can undermine the wise designs of our heavenly Father.  And what’s more, the sovereign Lord “loves you” (43:4).

And in Acts 4:23-31 the first-generation Jerusalem church gives praise to God for orchestrating his perfect will to come about even through the actions of Jesus’ enemies.

What does it mean to say God is sovereign?  We’re acknowledging that “Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases” (Psalm 115:3).  “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” (Job 42:2).  God works all things together for the good of his people (Romans 8:28).

Pause over this rich biblical truth; drink it in.  And then be still—“Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).  Be at peace.  And rest assured that the Lord will lead and guide and sustain and correct and bless you all your days!