“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.”
Acts 17: 26-27
The Apostle Paul tells us in Acts that beginning with one man, God marked our appointed times in history and our boundaries. He knew from the beginning when you and I would appear and how far He would allow us to go.
He providentially marked it out.
Have you ever been in the right place at the right time and it was just magic? I have!
As the Summer of ’88 was winding down I got a call from a friend.
“I’ve got a date tonight. We were fixing up my date’s best friend with another girl and that girl just bailed on us, can you be ready in 15 minutes? He’s super cute!!”
I threw my hair up in a pony tail, brushed on a little mascara and ran out the door. That night was unforgettable…sighhhhhh.
28 years later, the young man I met that night has been my husband for 26 years, father of my 2 children, my dreaming partner and biggest cheerleader.
There are other stories to share, but that one is my favorite.
Everything that comes into our lives ultimately has one purpose…to shift our gaze towards Him, to move closer to our creator and bring as many with us as will come.
That one night has resulted in a million “thank you’s” in gratitude and two children who have been brought up to love Jesus.
These moments, these seasons we are in, God knew before the beginning of time we would be here. Nothing catches Him off guard. Nothing surprises Him. He is in all and over all.
Whatever circumstance you are in today, you’re there on purpose.
When we are running around in circles trying to fix everything and make things happen and cause what’s already in motion to stop, we wear ourselves out.
I’ve been there. I’m there now as a matter of fact (but I’m working on it).
“Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;
you make my lot secure.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.”
Psalm 15:5-6
When we don’t get it, He does. When we can’t see the big picture, He can. When we can’t see the point, rest assured, there is one. When we’re scared to death, He’s already handled it. When nothing makes sense to us, it all comes together perfectly for Him.
Whatever circumstance you are in today, it has a purpose.
Sometimes those magical moments happen and it’s easy to look back and see God’s hand all over the whole deal.
Most often though, we have to walk through something hard before we can look back and answer the “why me?” and “what for?” questions.
Sometimes he allows us to walk through something because He knows ahead of time how many other lives will be influenced by our actions. Sometimes He allows us to walk through something because He knows it will draw us closer to Him. Sometimes He allows us to walk through something because He knows the eternal effect it may have on someone 50 or even 100 years from now.
It’s not always about us!
Those boundaries were marked out before any of us were born and they apply not only to us, but to those that we love and the unlovable.
Those kids you are worried about…
That family member who is going off the deep end…
That boss that is treating you unfairly…
That teacher that your child was purposely placed into their classroom…
They have boundaries too!
They are here, in our lives, on purpose, for a purpose.
He has set the example of a loving father, setting boundaries up for His children. If we, or our loved ones, get too close to those lines, He will gently correct us. He will mercifully turn our shoulders back in the right direction.
He made the map, the boundary lines, the people. He knew the history before it ever came to pass.
History is HIS-story.
There is freedom in knowing that He drew the lines before the beginning of time.
Let’s take a breath and trust that He knows what He’s doing.
Reflect:
*Have you ever felt like you were in the right place at just the right time? Thank Him for His graciousness.
*Have you ever felt God nudge you away from someone or something? Thank Him for His mercy.
Simple Faith 