There is Hope in His Name!
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.
Ephesians 1:18
I think it might be becoming clear that I am affected and inspired by theatrical productions. Not a big surprise....I've been pretty "theatrical" in my life. But sometimes, I think an experience through the arts gets the thought processes moving more freely than they normally do on a day to day basis.
Yesterday,our son's family went with us to see "Moses" at Sight and Sound Theatre in Branson, Mo. It was a depiction of the life of this man who was used so dramatically by God. You guys all know the story....his birth, his adoption by a princess, becoming a murderer, outcast, then finally being chosen by God to lead his people out of slavery. A remarkable story, brought to life by an amazing cast and crew.
Made me think.....a lot. These are some of the things I pondered as I watched his story unfold:
1. God uses whomever He pleases to accomplish His will - In our world, only the best and brightest get to do the "good" stuff. If you are the top salesman, you get rewarded with a bonus or a trip. If you're considered the best teacher, you get to be a part of important committees. If you're a great athlete, you are lauded and praised and sometimes you even hit the "big bucks". You're really only important in the world if you're the best. You are pretty much done for if you're less than perfect. An addict? Forget it. Poor? No perks for you. Struggle with school? We'll just make you feel worthless when you don't meet the pre-college standards we've set for everyone. Not so with God, as Moses' story teaches us. Moses was born into a family of slaves. He had a speech impediment, which made it difficult for him to speak in front of others. And, he was a murderer. All of these things would seemingly render Moses useless in our world today. But God chose him to bring His people out of slavery. He did it with a bang, too, so everyone would know that it was God bringing it about. He can use anyone, anytime, anywhere. It's His choice.
2. God has a solution for everything. The Israelites had been slaves for a long time. Everything seemed hopeless to them. They were exhausted, working day after day. Actually, most of us cannot even imagine the horrible conditions they lived under. We really have nothing to compare it to. We do have other things that are pretty terrible. Family members estranged for years. Kids addicted to drugs. Broken marriages. Devastating illnesses. I know you can add to this list. Horrible heartaches we all face. Time and time again, though, God has shown us that He has the solution. It seemed impossible Moses would be able to lead the people out of slavery. He tried and tried, and Pharaoh refused to budge. But God had a plan. He used frogs, flies, boils, water turning to blood, gnats, livestock dying, hail, and locusts. Because Pharaoh's heart remained hardened, God even had to take the Egyptians' first born sons. But God's purpose was accomplished. Now I don't believe God always works out our problems the way we would like it. Of course He doesn't. Children die, families remain broken, hearts are shattered. But I know this:
3. There is Hope in His name. Oh my. This was the big one for me. There were a couple of times the cast of this production sang a song with these words in it. Right now, there are a lot of things that seem pretty hopeless. The world is a disaster. Our political process in the US is frightening me on a daily basis. I have grandchildren who are fast approaching the age where they will be making decisions that could completely change and/or destroy their lives. Lots and lots of seemingly hopeless situations. BUT........there is HOPE in His Name! Bank on it. Putting our trust and our feelings and our baggage and our worries in His capable hands does a remarkable thing. It gives us Hope. A lasting, abiding hope and assurance that He has this....He really has this. He will work it out. If we know Him, we win. No matter what else goes on. And that's something to cling to.
Ephesians 1:18
I think it might be becoming clear that I am affected and inspired by theatrical productions. Not a big surprise....I've been pretty "theatrical" in my life. But sometimes, I think an experience through the arts gets the thought processes moving more freely than they normally do on a day to day basis.
Yesterday,our son's family went with us to see "Moses" at Sight and Sound Theatre in Branson, Mo. It was a depiction of the life of this man who was used so dramatically by God. You guys all know the story....his birth, his adoption by a princess, becoming a murderer, outcast, then finally being chosen by God to lead his people out of slavery. A remarkable story, brought to life by an amazing cast and crew.
Made me think.....a lot. These are some of the things I pondered as I watched his story unfold:
1. God uses whomever He pleases to accomplish His will - In our world, only the best and brightest get to do the "good" stuff. If you are the top salesman, you get rewarded with a bonus or a trip. If you're considered the best teacher, you get to be a part of important committees. If you're a great athlete, you are lauded and praised and sometimes you even hit the "big bucks". You're really only important in the world if you're the best. You are pretty much done for if you're less than perfect. An addict? Forget it. Poor? No perks for you. Struggle with school? We'll just make you feel worthless when you don't meet the pre-college standards we've set for everyone. Not so with God, as Moses' story teaches us. Moses was born into a family of slaves. He had a speech impediment, which made it difficult for him to speak in front of others. And, he was a murderer. All of these things would seemingly render Moses useless in our world today. But God chose him to bring His people out of slavery. He did it with a bang, too, so everyone would know that it was God bringing it about. He can use anyone, anytime, anywhere. It's His choice.
2. God has a solution for everything. The Israelites had been slaves for a long time. Everything seemed hopeless to them. They were exhausted, working day after day. Actually, most of us cannot even imagine the horrible conditions they lived under. We really have nothing to compare it to. We do have other things that are pretty terrible. Family members estranged for years. Kids addicted to drugs. Broken marriages. Devastating illnesses. I know you can add to this list. Horrible heartaches we all face. Time and time again, though, God has shown us that He has the solution. It seemed impossible Moses would be able to lead the people out of slavery. He tried and tried, and Pharaoh refused to budge. But God had a plan. He used frogs, flies, boils, water turning to blood, gnats, livestock dying, hail, and locusts. Because Pharaoh's heart remained hardened, God even had to take the Egyptians' first born sons. But God's purpose was accomplished. Now I don't believe God always works out our problems the way we would like it. Of course He doesn't. Children die, families remain broken, hearts are shattered. But I know this:
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
Things may not work out exactly the way WE want them. But we can rest assured that God has worked out the solution He intended, and it is working out for the good of those who love Him. Every time. We may not see it immediately, but we can count on it. He promises it in His word.
3. There is Hope in His name. Oh my. This was the big one for me. There were a couple of times the cast of this production sang a song with these words in it. Right now, there are a lot of things that seem pretty hopeless. The world is a disaster. Our political process in the US is frightening me on a daily basis. I have grandchildren who are fast approaching the age where they will be making decisions that could completely change and/or destroy their lives. Lots and lots of seemingly hopeless situations. BUT........there is HOPE in His Name! Bank on it. Putting our trust and our feelings and our baggage and our worries in His capable hands does a remarkable thing. It gives us Hope. A lasting, abiding hope and assurance that He has this....He really has this. He will work it out. If we know Him, we win. No matter what else goes on. And that's something to cling to.
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