After briefly discussing the doctrine of providence in my last essay, I felt compelled to go a bit deeper in this somewhat mysterious topic.
The question many want addressed is “How can God possibly be intimately involved in the lives of all His creation?”
The best way for me to somewhat feebly take on that question will require me to personally share a pieces of my story over the past 40-plus years as a follower of Christ.
And of course, we’ll have to delve into Scripture in the process.
Let’s start by turning to Paul’s letter to the Christian church in Rome. Much of what he presents in chapter 8 is filled with thoughts dealing with God’s intimacy with those who truly love Him.
Portions of that chapter are included in the Passages to Ponder at the end of this essay. I trust you will read through these powerful paragraphs for your edification.
Now, let me share just how I’ve experienced God’s presence in my life and the lives of many He has placed around me as He continues to mold me into the earthen vessel most pleasing to Him.
I must admit that I’ve not always been willing to go through the trials that have formed me so far!
Early on, after graduating from college, God allowed me to experience war during 18 months in Vietnam.
Yes, I was in harm’s way, yet He protected me and brought me home safely. He then took me through not one, but two failed marriages over the next decade or so of living out of His will.
During those years I gave little thought to His existence — only to my personal pleasure and well-being.
Finally at age 40, God took hold of me. Placing me on a cross in an Easter musical. That’s what He needed to do to get my attention to prove to me that He was real and I gladly followed through and accepted Christ as my Savior and Lord.
He promptly introduced me to my loving wife, Janet, in that small church in Southern California, moved us to Santa Barbara and then brought our daughter into our life through the adoption process.
God has allowed us to go through many trials since then, but we consider it all pure joy! Let me end with the Apostle Paul’s salient words from Romans 8:35-36:
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
I pray that you will find pleasure in an intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father and sense His hand at work in your lives in the journey He has set before you.