Life has a way of happening which can cause me to stop and ponder. I tend to examine things closely in the hopes of gaining perspective. If nothing else, I gain a little more awareness of the character of my God.
The last few days have been like that for me.
Reading a few verses caused me to stop and think:
…and he determined the times set for them and the exact places they should live. (Acts 17:26)
For in him we live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:28)
The state where I live today is not the same state in which I was born. That might be true for you as well. Perhaps there have even been several states in between your birth and the current day. But here is the truth…..
Every place the soles of your feet have been were determined by Him.
(photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net/vorakorn)
He placed you there so that your life would intersect with those He placed in your life. He knew the influence you would have on others and they on you. He knew you would need each other to grow in Him and fulfill His purposes. And here is the second truth in that verse……
He determined the times set for you.
(photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net/sritangphoto)
I used to love watching westerns growing up. Lancer, Bonanza, The Big Valley and who could forget Alias & Jones? There was always a part of me that wanted to live during those times. Not sure why. It was a harder way of life and yet in so many ways, an easier or simpler way of life. But that was not when it was meant for me to walk this earth. God alone determined the very day each of us would come into this world. And He alone knows the day that He will call us home. He determined the times set to fulfill specific purposes which are unique for us and to each of us.
We live our lives out in Him. He guides us. He goes before us. But He is also in us. God Himself, through His Holy Spirit, resides in us. He has chosen to live in us and display Himself through our lives. For this very reason, we should desire to live each day with purpose, and on purpose. Every day holds much potential and meaning.
When we live in Him and He in us, our lives have the potential to reveal Him and all that He is to those around us. We can reveal His glory no matter what we are doing during the course of our day. As we live and move and have our being in Him, the mundane becomes profound.
We live in Him.Â
He is in us.Â
Life is never the same.
Today I am joining with … Thought Provoking Thurs. and Time Travel Thurs. and Thurs. Favorite Things and Thankful Thurs. and Thrive at Home and Everyday Jesus and Thriving Thurs. and Cozy Reading Spot and New Every Morning and Beauty Observed .
“Every place the soles of your feet have been were determined by Him.” I believe this with all my heart and its name is Providence. What a wonderful post!! Thank you!!
Thank you. For whatever reason, reading your comment just brought the words to a Sunday School song from years ago back to my mind – “Oh be careful little feet where you go. Oh be careful little feet where you go. For the Father up above, is looking down in love, Oh be careful little feet where you go.” Grateful for your visit!
You favorited a tweet I just sent…and here I am. 🙂 I love your perspective on our trails in this life. I speak about it daily in my ministry job…that God has a plan for it all, but love your take on it. Great post! Blessings!
Nicki – Thank you for visiting here and for the encouragement today. Both were appreciated. Blessings!
When times are hard it’s a great thing to focus on the fact he has placed our feet where they need to be! Have a great rest of your week 🙂
I think focusing on this truth helps me to find contentment for where I am each day. Thank you for visiting with me today!
Jviola,
It’s encouraging to remember that he determines our steps and times, huh? That encourages me tonight as we head to a city council meeting and await verdicts on issues relating to our street and home possibly. Aiye. Thanks.
Re your comment on my post “The Song that Will Blow You Away…” Wow, shoveling driveways in freezing temps is a love language that rings loudly with me too, living in cold MN. Phew, how wonderful of that person for you. Good job for receiving the gift of help, which I’m sure gave them joy too. 🙂
Nice to have you here. Welcome,
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
Praying that all went well with the city council meeting.
Love how you worded it – the gift of help. It is true that sometimes it is hard to receive help. For some reason, it impacted me deeply. Thank you for stopping here today. Blessings!
Love this! Such a great perspective and I totally identify to sometimes wishing I lived in a different time… But like you, I trust God in his timing.
Thanks a million for stopping by our #EverydayJesus link up. I hope to see you back there next week. Blessings, my sister!
I was glad to join the linkup & hope to return next week. It is wonderful to make new friends & connections. May God bless the linkup & grow your community!
This is something that our pastor reminds us of often. We are where we are and in the time we are for a reason. Just as you said, we are placed around certain people so that we might influence them and they us. What a great reminder today. Thanks for linking up.
Reading your comment made me realize how important it is to be content with where we are each day. So glad you shared, Sarah. Have a wonderful weekend!
So very true! Thank you so much for sharing this reminder with Thrive @ Home Thursday. Pinning it to our Pinterest board!
Thank you so much for pinning it to Pinterest. Have a great weekend, Jenni.
What a great reminder. Him in us. Us in Him. Everything is about relationship and this is where it starts. Great post!
So very true. We have a relational God. Thank you!
Fabulous post! I needed to hear that today! I’m so glad that you linked-up today at BeautyObserved!
Thank you!
There are two major things I struggle with remembering: 1) God loves me unconditionally. 2) God is in control. I really needed to read these words this morning to be reminded God already knew every step I’ve taken and He chose me anyways. I’m so glad you linked-up with New Every Morning. I’m not sure there’s anything better to be thankful for than this! <3
Kelsey, I think most of us struggle with those some two things. May we fight to remember! I have much enjoyed the linkup. May God bless you as it continues to grow.
Joanne, I had not had time to really sit down and “dwell” here with this post as it’s been a crazy week. So tonight, I am back to read and think about your words. And, of course, as God would have it, I read a verse this morning in Psalms 90 that ties into your thoughts here. I love it when God does that!
Thanks for linking up at Thought-Provoking Thursday last week!
Lyli, love that you come back to the posts in your linkup. So appreciate that about you. I am grateful that our God tied together thoughts & Scripture for you which shows His time is always perfect in our lives. Prayed for you before replying that things would settle down a bit for you. May He smooth the way before you this week. Blessings, friend!