42?
Sunday, March 23, 2008 by Kristen
There is a popular book/movie of which I have heard (but not read/watched) called Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy; apparently, at some point in the story line, the answer to "life, the universe, and everything"--to life's biggest question-- is found. The answer? 42--yes, the number 42.
Well, much more about the story than that I don't know, but I believe I have found a different answer. It's very simple, like the number 42...nothing complex or hard to understand about it; in fact, we use it most every day without thinking anything of it. A common word in the English language, short, small, yet its implications can be eternal. My answer? His.
If we could grasp the deep significance of that small word every moment of every day, we would have the true answer to "life, the universe, and everything." It's all His--it all belongs to Christ. I am His, you are His, the person who cuts you off in traffic is His, the very house in which you live is His. Why should we worry, complain, or fret? Yesterday was His, today is His, and every moment of your future is His...is He not capable of taking care of His own? Shouldn't we leave it to Him, then?
If every human being on Earth is His, I should treat them with respect--they're the possessions of the King of kings; the way I react to them is, in essence, the way I am reacting to God, isn't it?
"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matthew 25:40 KJV
If my life is His, should I really worry about my future?
"Then Jesus said to his disciples: 'Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
You see? If God is truly in control--if everything is really His, then all of life's problems solve themselves, because we don't need to solve them! That's not to say we should be apathetic--God works through our lives day in and day out--but we should rest in joy and peace, knowing that it is all His, and not ours. We are not asked to fix the world, to understand all that He does, but to merely follow His path as we can, and let Him carry us when we cannot, knowing that this is His world that He created--His perfect plan is in place, and all we have to do is allow Him to work through us in whatever way He sees fit. Much easier said than done often times, no? Trust me, I know. Too often we want to pull back the jacket and reveal a superhero, ready to fly in and save the day once again--look out to anyone who stands in our way!--but God's ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). To those who don't look for it, God's plan and His works often go passed by, unseen; and sometimes, far from being popular, those who follow that path are ridiculed. But His plan is perfect--for every one of us. Perfect. Without defect. My life is His. Your life is His. All part of His world, His plan, and His unfailing, far-seeing, passionate, and self-sacrificing love.
One little word, encompassing all of time and creation.
His.
"Then Jesus said to his disciples: 'Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
'Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
'Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.'" Luke 12:22-32 NIVYou see? If God is truly in control--if everything is really His, then all of life's problems solve themselves, because we don't need to solve them! That's not to say we should be apathetic--God works through our lives day in and day out--but we should rest in joy and peace, knowing that it is all His, and not ours. We are not asked to fix the world, to understand all that He does, but to merely follow His path as we can, and let Him carry us when we cannot, knowing that this is His world that He created--His perfect plan is in place, and all we have to do is allow Him to work through us in whatever way He sees fit. Much easier said than done often times, no? Trust me, I know. Too often we want to pull back the jacket and reveal a superhero, ready to fly in and save the day once again--look out to anyone who stands in our way!--but God's ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). To those who don't look for it, God's plan and His works often go passed by, unseen; and sometimes, far from being popular, those who follow that path are ridiculed. But His plan is perfect--for every one of us. Perfect. Without defect. My life is His. Your life is His. All part of His world, His plan, and His unfailing, far-seeing, passionate, and self-sacrificing love.
One little word, encompassing all of time and creation.
His.
