Provision part 1
Sometimes I see this idea in movies or whatnot. Something happens that stretches the limit of credibility, and the character shrugs and says, "Providence." Always kind of struck me (a writer) as lazy writing. But the thing of it is... well, let me quote my memory verse for this Rant series. And let me say that Logan specifically asked if I would Rant about Father God providing for us. That's what was on HIS heart, so that's where I'm at. Right there with ya, buddy. Ok. John 1:3, "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." And I think that makes sense, even on the surface of it. If He made everything, how could anything that was made NOT be made by Him? And just so we're clear on what we're talking about, "made" is number 1096 in Strong's Greek Concordance and it means, "to cause to be." God caused everything to be that... be. LOVE caused everything to be. Let me try to say it another way, "But God commendeth his love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). When we couldn't offer Him anything... He gave us everything. He gave His only begotten Son. He gave His very life for us, and to us. Because He wanted us to have it. Because, while causing everything that be to be is pretty amazing... He caused everything to be, so that we could experience it and enjoy it. That's what God had for Adam after He finished the work of creating the garden of Eden. "And the LORD God took the man, and put him in the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it" (Genesis 2:15). He didn't make Adam just through hoops or earn anything. He gave Adam a gift. He provided for His creation. Because He loved (loves) His creation. Let me use one more passage of Scripture to set this Rant series up, "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What sheall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:31-33). Its like the Wizard of Oz, really. The very things we're wearing ourselves out trying to get are the very things that we've had all along. We just weren't looking in the right spot. We were looking without, acting as if we WERE without. When, in reality, I have no lack because my God has no lack. I've "been" hungry (I'm always hungry), but I've never GONE hungry. And if you say that's because I have people in my life who help me when I'm down I'll say you're exactly right. And then I'll add the truth that God works in mysterious ways because He works through people. It doesn't have to be some supernatural providence, or provision, like in the movies (although that can, and has, and will happen too). It can be as simple as someone with two coats giving one to someone with none. Provision from the Father comes in many forms. But He provides everything we need. Has already provided it. Why? Because He's a good Daddy. Because He loves His children. Its that simple.