October 2, 2007
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…I thought I’d share my devotional thought with you for today. It really spoke to me:
“I believe that nothing that happens to me is meaningless, and that it is good for us all that it should be so, even if it runs counter to our own wishes. As I see it, I’m here for some purpose, and I only hope that I may fulfill it. In the light of the great purpose all our privations and disappointments are trivial.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Isn’t there tremendous comfort in the thought that we are here for a worthwhile purpose, that our life means something in the grand scheme of things?! What would life be if that were not so? How would we live our lives if we did not believe that a Great Purpose existed? I would not want to live in a world that operated on chance and happenstance. And I know that the seemingly negative things that happen, the things that cause us pain or grief or disappointment would then destroy me.
The darkness that is in this world did destroy Bonhoeffer’s physical body, but the fact that his words spoke to me in a clear way this morning is testament to the fact that his spirit lives and that his life was ANYTHING BUT meaningless. If you have a minute, go to http://www.victorshepherd.on.ca/Heritage/deitrich.htm for a brief summary of this amazing Christian’s life story. He was only 39 when he died. But what a legacy he left us!
If you’re facing trials or privations or disappointments this morning, my prayer is that these thoughts are encouraging and comforting to you. My heart is singing as I ponder them!
P.S. My friend Georgene, the diligent Bible scholar, would ask for a scripture supporting Bonhoeffer’s thoughts. Romans 8:28 comes to my mind…any others?
Comments (5)
Revelation 4:11
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Good girl on finding a scripture to back up his statement! You go girl!!!
(although I do question the description of me! *S*) You’re too funny!
I have a few scriptures to add:
Eph. 1:11b… (God works all things after the counsel of His own will. )
Job 42:2.. (God can do all things, no purpose of His can be thwarted.)
I saw a documentary on Bonhaoeffer. It was fascinating! I’ll have to visit the site when I get a chance. Good post! Thank you!
Your devotional thoughts are very encouraging to me today. I went to the site and read about Bonhoeffer, too…what a testimony his life was. I needed to hear all of that today…thank you, friend!
“ANYTHING BUT meaningless”
what a reassuring post! thank you
I will go and read about Bonhoeffer, but wanted to say how much I just loved your previous post….those patchwork patterns on the barns are wonderful and your pictures remind me of happy memories of Canada in the Fall, a trip taken many years ago