By Carole Lynne Haines
My aunt recently put together a wonderful family history for my mother’s side of the family. My Mom asked me if I could save the files somehow, to keep them safe. I saved the PDF’s in a folder on my desktop. Now, each time I log into my computer that folder is there for me to see. This all brought to my mind the verse in Scripture that declares:
3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
(Colossians 3:3-4 NASB 1995)
That question of the ages comes to mind; “What is life?” What a loaded question. How can we possibly know the answer to it? I think about things a lot, pondering truth, ruminating, digesting each bite. What does this mean, that ” I have died and my life is now hidden with Christ in God?”
So is my life like this folder on my desktop? All I need to do is click on it and I will find the meaning of a life well lived by looking through the beautiful photos of precious people from my past? No, but these lives touched mine. Smoothing the pages of their lives, seeing their faces, reading about things they did, places they lived, children they had. They helped form who I am because they formed those who have lived before me; and so it was passed down from generation to generation. The good with the bad, joyous things as well as great suffering and grief. So much is in this tiny little folder, and it is such a blessing to have it here to explore and enjoy.
But only God, My Creator can reveal His purpose for my life. I take great comfort in knowing my life has purpose because of God. That I have touched and still am touching people all around me. My children and generations beyond. One of the most comforting concepts in Scripture is this:
2 I will cry to God Most High,
To God who accomplishes all things for me.
(Psalm 57:2-3 NASB)
God accomplishes all things for me. I yield, I follow, I listen and seek to obey His call. This truth sets me free from worry, it blesses my heart each time I wonder what life is all about. I don’t know why I am here, but I know the one who put me here, God the Father, Jesus the Son of God and The Holy Spirit.
“Accomplishes,” means- to bring it to an end, to complete it, perfect it, perform it. Further credence to the sense I have had deep within all along that I am the glove, God is the hand. Or a metaphor God Himself gave to the prophet Isaiah about this is:
But now, O Lord, You are our Father,
We are the clay, and You our potter;
And all of us are the work of Your hand. (Isaiah 64:8 NASB 1995)
I don’t need the blueprint because I belong to the architect of my life, God Himself. Take great hope in this truth today, dear believer. Your life is hidden with Christ in God. You will not know the impact of your life this side of heaven. We are far deeper than a file hidden on God’s computer desktop. Rejoice in the God who accomplishes all things for us. I will close with the encouraging prayer found in one of my favorite Psalms.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.
(Psalm 139:23-24 NASB)
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