magnitude

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

Recently I have come to notice how my mother truly has the gift of hospitality. She is indeed talented in not only decorating our home and keeping it clean & organized, but also providing meals and space for women to meet and fellowship on a daily basis. I guess I have never realized the things my mom does during the day. My parents home reminds me of a revolving door. One lady in, another out. A couple in, another couple out. I would say my parents have a full time ministry going on in their home; it's a part of their every day life.

When you have people coming in and out of your home like they do...you encounter men & women from all different walks of life. Many of the guests in the daytime consist of the housewife or part time working woman. The evenings are filled with those who work the proverbial 9-5 jobs. I really never know who may be at our home- or perhaps just passing through the cities and needing a place to stay.

Today a dear friend of my mom stopped in for what I now recognize as a much needed lunch. Of course the term need is not referring to physical nutrition, but of conversation and mutual encouragement. =) I was invited to join them since my classes have ended and I am now on the holiday break. As this woman sat and shared with us about some of the recent events in her family's life my mind slowly began to wander away from the sweet Scandinavian table set and the conversation as a whole. I would tune back in when I heard things such as "But God was already working..." or "He knew ten years ago..." or even "We have been praying for months about this."

My mind was overwhelmed as I sat half listening and half processing... my eyes drifted back and forth between this woman who was pouring her heart out and my mother who was so patiently and quietly nodding with an occasional word to express her understanding or agreement. I had to excuse myself as the conversation went on and on...and the emotions went from deep sorrow to elated joy back to the colloquial calm and around again.

GOD!? Seriously, that is what I thought. Is this even real. These two women sitting and talking about all the things going on in their personal lives and then turning it all around to trust in an Almighty God!? Seriously. No...I mean seriously!? More than anything I doubted about everything I know. The reality of the enslaved, sinful world ( viewed by: CNN, New York Times, Drudge Report, Slate...and any public forum for relaying global news...personal travels and encounters-history in general) and thinking that this is all in the hands of an Almighty Sovereign!? Does that even make sense? nope. not at all.
"oh ye of little faith..." was all i could think of.

I guess what really threw me was the magnitude of difference between what was happening before my very eyes and perhaps for example what is going on in Eastern Europe- political tension is once again rising. God is here...but also there? He cares about my personal life & daily struggles- but also has his hand in the orchestration of global events?
wow.
Daniel 2:20-23 kept running through my mind.

"Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise; for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king's matter."

The faith of Daniel is unbelievable to me. Anything in his life he simply "gave to God" and in everything "gave thanks to God."

I guess I am learning that God's eternal will involves His glory and sovereignty - Ephesians 1:11b "...having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will..." But also his perceptive will- meaning how I should live and strive to imitate Christ in my daily life. 1 Thessalonians 3&7: "For this is the will of God, your sanctification...For God has not called us for impurity, but holiness."
Reading on we see what a daily life honoring God would include, "you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may live properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one."

I am learning the truth of the childhood song "He's got the whole world, in his hands..." I am also learning that what goes on in my family's home is not minuscule to God, and it is very humbling to realize the lack of faithful obedience I have at times because I am easily overwhelmed by what I read or hear or think. Colossians 2:8-10 states "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority."

"Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the Lord,
and besides me there is no savior."
Isaiah 43:10b-11