"The Stunning Fact ... from him and through him and to him are all things ... Source, Guide, and Goal of all that is -- to him be glory for ever! Amen ... Moreover we know that to those who love God, who are called according to his plan, everything that happens fits into a pattern for good ... "Date

Conversational Prayer-Sonnets and Scriptures

January 4 ~

For from him and through him and to him are all things ... Source, Guide, and Goal of all that is -- to him be glory for ever! Amen ... Moreover we know that to those who love God, who are called according to his plan, everything that happens fits into a pattern for good ... For God knew his own before ever they were, and also ordained that they should be shaped to the likeness of his Son ...
Rom.11:36 (RSV,NEB); 8:28 (JBP); 8:29 (NEB)

The Stunning Fact

To grasp that all events comprise a play
- a drama! - planned, directed, cast by Thee,
each scene pre-writ ... To grasp that what men say
or think or do ... that all of history:
the plagues, the wars, the tyrannies, the kings
and queens, the revolutions, human laws,
the rise and fall of nations ... that all things
are sent, devolve from Thee ... no second cause! ...
To grasp this stunning fact, and in its light
then see in ev'rything Thy ruling hand
and take whatever comes to me in life
as part of Thy design to shape this man,
to make my spirit one with Thine - the Son's! ...
What an adventure - marv'lous! - life becomes.

______________________

... he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him ... Jesus looked up to heaven and said: 'Father, the hour has come. Glorify thy Son, that the Son may glorify thee. For thou hast made him sovereign over all mankind, to give eternal life to all whom thou hast given him ... that they may be one, as we are one; I in them and thou in me' ...
1 Cor.6:17 (RSV); Jn.17:1,2,22,23 (NEB).

Christ - The Better Way Home Page / Devotional Contents Page / Calendar Table for Devotions / Index of Devotions by Title