1 in 56,000,000?

Author Nate Wilson speculates that there is a 1 in 8 million chance that each of us could have not been born. And his bottom line out of that thought is, "be grateful you're here". I'm grateful I'm here.

Today will be hard. Not that I have any sovereign knowledge about what this day holds, or any day, but I'm aware that living on planet earth prior to the new heaven and new earth that we are moving towards means that today is another day of desperate dependance on God...and desperate dependance on God doesn't come natural....so yeah, it'll be hard. Now, do I live that way daily? No. I sadly try to find my own way through a maze of pleasure, food, avoiding conflict, finding easier paths and keeping things light and shallow. Ouch, ouch, ouch ouch ouch.

But....as I close this each week.....there's more. Thank God there's more. So much more. While we're on the road to new heaven and new earth, God is working in us...."for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). I love the thought that it is for His good pleasure. The thought that what He must accomplish in my life in order to make me pure and blameless in preparation for marrying His Son Jesus....is for His pleasure, is a deeply encouraging thought. Because that is an astronomical amount of work! The fact that it's not described as a drudgery to Him is astounding. It is for His pleasure. You and I being made to be like Christ is for His pleasure. I want to know that I am described that way.

And part of how He is at work in us, in a way that I don't think we often fully acknowledge, is those that He has, "before the foundation of the earth", chosen to link us with in this life. As I look at the faces and hearts in the picture above, those that God has strategically, intentionally placed into my life as my fellowship, I'm stunned. The Kelly Grove and the beauties that God is adding to our sons are the kind, passionate hand of God shaping my needy soul as we move towards the Great Wedding. I can't get over how rich it is that He chose these people for me. Blown away.

So. This morning I consider the 1 in 8,000,000 chance that I wouldn't be here. I multiply it by the 7 of us above. 1 in 56,000,000 chance that these people wouldn't be linked together. Nope. It's absolutely certain. Sovereign Father says YES! With tender, demonstrative strength Papa says, "I see you. I love you. I work in you for My good pleasure." I do it! WITH THESE PEOPLE.

And as you kindly read these words today.....I add you. I'm linked with you. For His good pleasure.

There's more.