Can Good Be Bad?

“My kingdom is not of this world.”

 ~Jesus Christ, the Master and great Shepherd of the sheep

As recorded in John 19:36

If we have chosen to follow Christ, we have committed to a life that is clearly outside the world’s cultural norms and is governed by heavenly priorities instead.  The lives of those who have chosen to homeschool fall even farther outside cultural norms.  But even in the homeschool world, we are not immune to distraction from what is of central importance to our Lord.  In fact, especially in the homeschool world, we may be lulled into a false sense of security when it comes to our priorities.  It is often said that the good can be the enemy of the best.  It is of prime importance that we regularly take stock of our lives to make sure that we have not received His grace in vain.

Might it be possible that we have become yoked to things that are really not of Him?   (See II Corinthians 6.)   Are we honestly and truly not of this world?   Or could it be, that in spite of a valiant attempt to keep from being conformed to and entangled in “the world” and its pagan, cultural wrappings and trappings, we are sometimes unwittingly lured into what is simply an alternate “world” to keep us occupied?

 “Do not love the world, nor the things in the world.

If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the world,

the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life,

is not from the Father, but is from the world.

And the world is passing away, and also its lusts;

but the one who does the will of God abides forever.”

I John 2:15-17

Could it be that an obsession with a morally clean cultural world might serve Satan’s purposes just as well—to sufficiently distract us from God’s real priorities?

The world has dark and dirty hobbies to keep its lives too busy for God.  Those who claim to follow Christ may have refreshingly clean hobbies, which ironically, however, often accomplish the same end.  Neither group has much time for God’s priorities.  My fear is that we are far too often energetic—exceptionally so—for things that are empty, feverish in our activity for that which is fading.

The world’s teenagers follow the latest fashion trends—daringly envelope-pushing, immodest ones.  Meanwhile, Christian young people can be equally enthralled with fashion, except, of course, that theirs would tend toward modesty.

The men of the world love sports and beer.  Multitudes of Christian men, too, can talk of nothing but sports.  They just generally prefer a less addictive drink to go with it.

While the world may be addicted to the dark side of technology, the Church may be equally addicted to its cleaner forms.

The world takes it view of Christianity from everything but the Bible.  And tragedy of tragedies, so does most of the “Church”, as is evidenced by way it whole-heartedly embraces the core beliefs of the rest of the world’s religions, while having not a clue where the ideas have come from.

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord,

so walk in Him. . . .

 See to it that no one takes you captive

through philosophy and empty deception,

according to the tradition of men,

according to the elementary principles of the world,

rather than according to Christ.”

Colossians 2:6, 8

Honestly, is what we let ourselves be consumed with actually prescribed in the Bible, or has some smooth talker just convinced us that it is?  Do we latch onto things, thinking they are worth our time, when in reality they, too, are passing away?  Are our priorities really the same as His?  

It is imperative that we ask ourselves these questions.  These are the kind of questions we need to be asking.  I have to ask myself these kinds of questions on a regular basis, and especially at holiday times when our schedules get even tighter than usual.  If we don’t ask ourselves these questions, and honestly stare the answers in the face, we may find that our dear Master is grieved with our hardness of heart and with our willingness to be distracted from what matters most to Him.

Lately, I’ve been reading the last letters of Peter and Paul (II Peter and II Timothy).  They’ve really gotten to me.  I have felt their emotion, as they knew their time on this earth was coming quickly to an end.  Those dear men, under the Spirit’s influence, were intensely passionate—and increasingly so, it seems, as they aged—that we should faithfully carry on what Jesus passed on to them, without getting sidetracked, deceived, or lead astray from their—and our—beloved Master.

I was going to share some verses from II Peter and II Timothy but couldn’t narrow them down; they were all too relevant.  So instead, I urge you to go pull out the actual letters and soak them up as you would precious pen and paper letters that just arrived today in your mailbox.  You certainly won’t regret it; in fact, it may save you from regret.

“And now, little children, abide in Him,

so that when He appears, we may have confidence

and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.”

~From yet another intensely devoted follower of Jesus Christ

As recorded in I John 2:26-28

Thanksgiving--The Season That Never Ends

When we first returned from Ukraine with our newly adopted thirteen-year-old daughter, my dad went around the house with her, labeling things with sticky-notes.  Her repertoire of English vocabulary was very small, so he was helping to add to it.  I still smile when I remember his labeling of legs—"table leg," "chair leg," and "people leg."

Recently, I heard about another use for sticky-note labels that I've not been able to get out of my head.  Someone suggested that each of us ought to get two stacks of sticky-notes. On the notes in one stack, write the label "temporary" and attach those notes to everything that is just that—temporary.  Cars, computers, toys, furniture . . . even money.  You get the idea.  All the stuff that, in the end, will burn.  On the notes in the second stack, write "eternal" and stick those on people, because their souls are, in fact, eternal.

Even though I didn't actually make the labels, I now can't picture my stuff without seeing those labels attached in my mind.  And I find myself asking myself why I'm spending time on certain things that won't last or that won't impact the eternal in any way.

Surrounded by invisible labels, I've been thinking of their implication on my thanksgiving, too.  The temporary can certainly be cause for thanksgiving.  The glory and magnificence of the created world—all that we can see, taste, smell, hear, or touch—can point us to the wisdom and goodness of our Creator.  Majestic mountains, the cheerful sound of children's laughter, or the savory smell of pumpkin pie can inspire praise to our Father.  He is the one who gave us ears to hear.  He gave us eyes capable of seeing color and detecting depth.  He is the one who created flavor and gave us the ability to enjoy it.  As wonderful as the created world is though, it still gets a "temporary" label.  And that's really got me thinking.

I’ve tried to imagine being in what we'd be likely to call less-than-ideal circumstances.  What if I lost my sight?  What if I could no longer hear the laughter of children?  What if I were truly hungry or out in the cold?  What if my life were the one the Voice of the Martyrs magazine asked you to pray for?  What then?  In that light, a focus on the temporary seems terribly shallow.  What would I be thankful for then?  It would be the things that transcend and that can’t be stolen by circumstances good or bad.  Think of it!  If our joy is attached to the things that can’t be stolen, then our joy can’t be stolen either.  But if our joy is attached to temporary things . . .

God knows our hearts need a greater focus on the intangible blessings that are enduring, a focus that goes beyond thanksgiving for the albeit lovely, but nevertheless temporary.  It’s those eternal blessings that will remain and bring joy even when our lives are stripped of all those temporary things.

That's what the Apostle Peter was getting at in chapter one of his first letter:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away...”  

I find it interesting that Scripture focuses very little on the temporary, and even the examples of gratitude for temporary things point to God's character as Provider.  Not that I don't enjoy the temporary or won't be grateful for the blessings that I know will fade, but the temporary is definitely second tier, and the real issue is one of priorities.  Recognition of the enduring importance of the eternal is the cure for a hollow life.  Seeing with God's eternal perspective keeps us from being shallow.

So while I will still be thankful for temporary blessings, I'm all the more determined to cultivate an ardent attitude of gratitude for "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places," as Paul says in Ephesians 1.  Though I can’t attach sticky-notes to them, they are no less real.  I want my joy to be anchored to the eternal, not to the temporary.  If I’m anchored to the eternal, I can't be shaken.  I’m convinced that’s what Peter was talking about as his first letter continues:

“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials … and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory … [Therefore] fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Yes, 'tis the season for being thankful.

If you know Jesus, the season never ends! 

By the way, parents, if we model a life of heavenly aligned priorities, we equip our children well to live a truly rich life.

"Godliness actually is a means of great gain,

when accompanied by contentment.

... Instruct those who are rich in this present world

not to be conceited

or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches,

but on God,

who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy."

I Timothy 6:6,17

Transcript Season

(Shared with the IAHE blog, too)

It's transcript season at our house, and I've been reminiscing.  One of my dear girls has started her last year of high school.  We have been through so much and learned so much together.  And most of it could never be reflected on a transcript.

Oh, yes, she has learned to balance chemical equations, to make bread and berry pie, to use imaginary numbers and subordinating conjunctions.  She can play the piano and tell you who Thaddeus Kosciuszko was.  But a transcript could never reflect who she has become.

In the progress of gathering up samples of her work for a portfolio, I came across a notebook wherein lay perhaps some of her most significant work.  It was work that went far deeper than history facts or geometry proofs.  It penetrated her heart and ignited something inside her.  This work hadn't been assigned for an official class.  It was what she had done during the time she devoted to God's Word at the beginning of the day during one of her school years.  The notebook contains the notes she made as she read through the Old Testament books of Joshua and Judges.

As I read through tears of joy, I saw that she had carefully catalogued, verse by verse, what was taking place, grouped the verses into logical divisions, and summarized the content.  She made observations on the overarching themes, and then applied them to her own life and the life of our nation with incredible insight.  God challenged her to align herself with His priorities, and she said, "Yes!"  He spoke, He revealed His faithfulness, and her faith grew.  And mine grew, too, as I read what the Lord had taught her.

Contrary to popular opinions of some, studying God's Word is no dry, meaningless, intellectual exercise; it has been a living and powerful shaping force in her life.  As I observe her attitudes today and hear her speak with passion, I know that the living God who revealed Himself in those passages has molded her faith with His own hand.

As we spend each passing day with our children, let's not forget that the most relevant things they will ever learn are the spiritual truths from God's Word that will anchor them long after they've left home and long after we have moved on to heaven ahead of them.

And more rewarding than anything that could be recorded on a transcript is knowing that our children's names are recorded in the Book Of Life.

". . . You know in all your hearts and in all your souls

that not one word of all the good words

which the LORD your God spoke concerning you has failed;

all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed."

Joshua 23:14b

LIfe LIte!

This post is by a special guest blogger, our daughter Megan . . .

Ever feel like your life is just too full?  Like you've got too much on your plate and just need some relief?  Well, you’re not alone; millions share your plight!

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For half the price of Full Life you get:

-half the danger and half the exhilaration

-half the risk and half the gain

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-half the pain and half the joy

-half the battles and half the victories

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-half the life and all the physical death (We just can’t seem to find a way around full death yet… but trust us – we’re working on it!)

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--------------------

John 10:10

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” 

--Jesus

Matthew 10:39

“He who has found his life will lose it,

and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.”

--Jesus

--------------------

If you would like to read more from Megan, you can find her blog at www.mthegreatadventure.blogspot.com.

Extending Hospitality

 “Let us consider

how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds . . .”

Hebrews 10:24

The idea of hospitality being love for strangers has generated some interesting—and at times convicting—thoughts and discussion in our home lately.   Love for strangers can be practiced anywhere we are.

Hospitality is what the checkout lady should be getting from us.  Hospitality is what our fellow bus-riders should experience around us.  Folks who think very differently from us should still sense love from us.  How about hospitality toward our waitress, or even toward fellow travelers on the roadways?

If we are called to show love to strangers, is there anyone anywhere about which we could say, “Well, it doesn’t matter how I treat him, because I’ll never see him again anyway.”?

As our family was considering these things together, someone brought up a person that we don’t personally know, but whose actions we do not approve.  Somebody else joked that maybe he isn’t a such a stranger to us, because we know enough about that person to know that he is more like an enemy.  Then we remembered that not only are we called to love fellow Christians (whom we may know well) deeply from the heart, and practice hospitality (love for strangers) toward people we don’t know well, but we are called to love our enemies, too.  And that leaves no one outside the reach of the love our Lord asks us to extend.

Lately, I have been struck by the incredible love and concern that the apostle Paul expressed in his letter to the Christians at Colossae.  “For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you . . .”  (Colossians 1:9).  Some of those he was writing to—and praying for—he had never even met; they were people he’d only heard about.

“For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf, and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from a full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”  Colossians 2:1-3

Our prayers may never be the same again, as we express love for strangers by praying for people we haven’t met.  Even a simple trip to the store may never be the same again either.

Recently, I had the privilege of staying in a Bed and Breakfast in Illinois whose motto is “Arrive as guests; leave as friends.”  That indeed is an accurate description of my experience there.  My hostess knew how to go beyond the scrumptious food and cozy accommodations she offered, to express genuine love and care for her guests; she understood what hospitality really is.

Most people have some idea of how to be nice to their friends.  But God's people are called to go beyond that.  For the sake of the Lord’s reputation, let’s be the radical people, the people who are marveled at, who would dare to treat strangers as friends.

Our family would love to hear, by way of comments, any avenues of practicing love for strangers that you may think of.  We can spur one another on toward love and good deeds in Jesus’ name and for His sake.

If you missed the previous post on hospitality, you can find it by clicking here.

True Hospitality

"Let love be without hypocrisy.

. . .Be devoted to one another in brotherly love;

give preference to one another in honor

. . . practicing hospitality."

See Romans 12:9-13.

Hospitality—just what does that mean?  Most of us think of hospitality as hosting our friends in our home—serving a scrumptious meal for dear friends presented on a lovely table or providing clean and cozy accommodations for good friends from out of town.  But, actually, having our friends over for dinner isn’t hospitality at all.

The real meaning of the New Testament Greek word in Romans 12:13, which is translated as "hospitality," is actually love for strangers.

Love for strangers.  That’s right.  People we don’t know well. Certainly there’s nothing wrong about hosting friends in our homes.  In fact, it’s a wonderful thing to do, but we can’t legitimately call it Romans 12 hospitality.

Why?  Because hospitality is literally love for strangers.  How could we have missed this for so long?

This concept of hospitality is absolutely revolutionary.  You don’t even technically need to be in your own home to practice hospitality.  An attitude of love toward people you don’t know well can be pursued anywhere.  Granted, you can certainly demonstrate that love by inviting someone to your home, but true hospitality will also manifest in the way we treat someone outside our established circle of friends in any and every setting imaginable.

This changes everything!  Pursuing and practicing real hospitality means cliques are banned.  Inside jokes are entirely inappropriate behavior.  Hospitality means nobody within our reach ever feels like an outsider.  Nobody within our reach feels left out or like a fifth wheel.  Nobody in our presence should ever wish they could melt into the floor because their existence isn’t even acknowledged.

Hospitality leaves absolutely no room for self-centered behavior.  Hospitality means we will be others focused.  We will not be content to keep to our comfortable circle of old friends if there is a newcomer near.  We will get out of our selfish little comfort zones to reach out to draw in someone new.  And if after a conversation with someone, you realize you learned nothing about the other person, guess what?  That was inhospitable, too.  If you did all the talking, you displayed a great love of self, but no love for a stranger.

If we’re going to practice hospitality, there’s no getting by with an excuse of a reserved nature or shyness, either.   Refusing to talk to someone new is simply being inhospitable.

This real, Biblical hospitality is a challenging calling.  This is going to change everything.  It will stretch us.  We can never be comfortable with life as it is in our own little circle ever again.  But God never calls us to something He can’t or won’t empower.  The real obstacle to the practice of true hospitality is our focus on self.  Paul reminds us, in Philippians 2, of the ultimate stranger-love Jesus showed to us when He gave up His rights as God to come to earth to save us.  And he urges us to have the same attitude.

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit,

but with humility of mind

let each of you regard one another as more important than himself;

do not merely look out for your own personal interests,

but also for the interests of others.” 

Philippians 2:3-4

The nature of real hospitality creates an almost paradoxical phenomenon.  As we practice hospitality to strangers, pretty soon those strangers aren’t strangers anymore.  Of course, we can still spend time with them and host them now as our friends, but our eyes must be looking ever outward, and our hearts must be constantly reaching farther—to the ones at the fringes of and beyond our normal circles—if we are to continue to pursue true hospitality.

Truly, the practice of real, Biblical hospitality has nothing to do with how we treat our friends.  Instead it has everything to do with lovingly turning strangers into friends.  It’s about how we meet and treat strangers whether they come to us or we go to them.  And in fact, if we are really going to love strangers, we will go to them, both literally physically and in the way our hearts are turned toward them.  

Let us be the kind of people who make others feel welcomed, loved, appreciated, and valued whether we have known them for a year, an hour, a lifetime, or for only a minute!

May we be the kind of people who make others feel that they have come home the very moment they enter our presence.

P.S. Can you just imagine what the pursuit of real hospitality would mean for the spread of the gospel?!

Dressing For Success

(Shared today with the IAHE blog)

"Even a child is known by his actions,
by whether his conduct is pure and right."

Proverbs 20:11 (NIV)

Want to make a good first impression and then maintain an impeccable reputation, too?  Do you want your life to be a true success?

There's no big secret to it.  Really.  It all comes down to what you wear.  That's right--what you wear.

Now, before you decide somebody snatched my brain, let me explain.

Of course, true success starts with becoming one of God's people.  As His people, we represent Jesus--as His Ambassadors--not only to our family but to everyone we know, everywhere we go.  And we must dress accordingly.  So what do His Ambassadors wear?

Here's what one of the original Ambassadors of Christ wrote about it to the church at Colosse: 

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, 

clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness and patience.

Bear with each other and forgive
whatever grievances you may have against one another.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

And over all these virtues put on love,
which binds them all together in perfect unity."

Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)

Our foundational garment, which gives us a heart-level makeover, is the righteousness of Christ exchanged for our filthy rags of unrighteousness.  From there, godly fashion dictates that there are layers meant to be worn with it--compassion, kindness, humility gentleness, patience, and forgiveness.  And unlike our underwear, all of these lovely things should be showing.  Finally, crowning them all, the top layer is love.

Interestingly, this dress code reads a lot like the list of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.  Getting properly dressed is a glorious combination of our cooperation and the Spirit's power.

Remember the story of the emperor who thought he was dressed in fancy new clothes but wasn't actually dressed at all?  How many times have we walked around, in fashion just as ridiculous, wearing nothing but our spiritual underclothes, so to speak, and a name-tag that says "Christian," while we're missing the rest of our necessary Ambassador attire?  Or worse yet, are there times we're still wearing the uniform of a soldier from our arch enemy's army--the very things we have been commanded to put off and lay aside?

". . . Let us lay aside the deeds of darkness

and put on the armor of light."

Romans 13:12b

When we get dressed each morning, and every time we catch our reflection throughout the day, let's remember the dress code for Ambassadors.  When our work gets strenuous or the discussions heat up, let's not be tempted to shed the layers that are essential to our identity as Ambassadors of the King.  If we aren't properly dressed, no one will be inclined to take us seriously when we talk about Jesus--not our families or anyone else.

Let's teach our children by example what true dressing for success really means.

Who's with me for a good, deep closet cleaning?

P.S.  Fellow moms and dads, I'm thinking perhaps we could use clothing layers, some labels, and a touch of drama to make these truths come alive for our children. . .

Further food for thought or for sharing with your children:

II Corinthians 5:17-21  old and new, ambassadors, our sin exchanged for His righteousness
Colossians 3:1-17  new life, putting aside, putting something new on
James 1:21-25  what to lay aside, what to accept, the concept of a mirror, a life that's blessed
Ephesians 4:22-32  what to lay aside, what to put on
Hebrews 12:1-2  what to lay aside, endurance

For your convenience, each reference in the list above is linked to an on-line Bible.

Tell Me Again

There are days when I desperately need to be reassured of the Lord's love and care for me.  I think David must have had the same need, because I found a verse (Psalm 35:3) where he pleads with God, "Say to my soul, 'I am your salvation.'"  I am relieved to know it's okay to ask Him to tell me again. . . and again.

It was that verse, along with some others that reassure me of His love, that inspired the song lyrics below.

Though the music is recorded on my piano; I just haven't had time to record the words with it yet so I can share it.  But maybe you'd like to ponder already the words and the verses that inspired them.

May your soul, too, be made steadfast in His love.

Verse 1

Say it again to my soul,

“I am your salvation!”                Psalm 35:3

My only hope is in You, alone;   Psalm 62:1,2,5-8; Psalm 71:5

O LORD, be my helper.              Psalm 30:10

Chorus

Who is God, but the LORD?

Who is a Rock, except our God?           Psalm 18:31

You are God; there’s no one like you.   Jeremiah 10:6; Ps. 86:8

There is no rock like our God!               Isaiah 44:6-8

He rides the heavens to my rescue,

Through the skies in His majesty.         Deut. 33:26

Eternal Father, You’re my refuge,

And underneath are Your everlasting arms!  Deut. 33:27

              

Verse 2

Say it again to my soul,

“Cast your every care on Me.”        Psalm 55:22; I Peter 5:7

You’re never weak, never weary;    Isaiah 40:28

And I know you care for me.          I Peter 5:7

Chorus

Who is God, but the LORD?

Who is a Rock, except our God?           Psalm 18:31

You are God; there’s no one like you.   Jeremiah 10:6; Ps. 86:8

There is no rock like our God!               Isaiah 44:6-8

He rides the heavens to my rescue,

Through the skies in His majesty.         Deut. 33:26

Eternal Father, You’re my refuge,

And underneath are Your everlasting arms!  Deut. 33:27

              

Bridge
He bowed the heavens and came down;

Sped upon the wings of the wind…

He rescued me because He delighted in me!  Psalm 18:9,10,19

Copyright Carol Carpenter

              

Held Together

(Shared today with the IAHE blog)

Some days I look at what needs to be accomplished, and it’s overwhelming.  I’m past the straw that broke the camel’s back.  If you were to but sneeze in my direction, I think I might actually fall to pieces.  Ever felt that way?

Look this way for a moment.

“Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars,

the One who leads forth their host by number,

He calls them all by name;

Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power

not one of them is missing.”  Isaiah 40:26

Not one of them is missing.  Wow.

“For by Him all things were created,

both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible,

whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—

all things have been created by Him and for Him.

And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

Colossians 1:16-17

Really?  Yes, all things.

So it’s no stretch to say He holds me together?  That’s right.

Not just holds you together, but holds you in His arms.

“The eternal God (eternal—as in not disintegrating anytime in the unforeseeable future) is a dwelling place (alternately translated refuge),

And underneath are the everlasting arms.”  Deuteronomy 33:27

(Parenthetical comments mine)

Whatever it is, you’ll make it.

In Him all things hold together.

And underneath are the everlasting arms.

Please, Lord, don’t let my heart ever forget it. 

By The Will Of God

(This post was shared with the IAHE blog, too)

Ever had one of those days when you wonder if you're really up to the job of parenting?  I have. Some days I think of other mothers I know, and I'm quite sure they're probably doing a much better job of it than I.  Lord, how could you have entrusted me with these children?

Enter Colossians.  I warn you; if you don't want to be changed, stay away from God's Word.  If, on the other hand, you know your mind desperately needs renewing, then dive in.  If you want the biggest impact, commit it to memory.  You will never be the same.  It's exhilarating.  It gets inside your mind, deep into your heart, and even under your skin in a good sort of convicting way.

Okay, you've probably guessed; I've been memorizing Colossians. And I didn't get past the first verse before it changed my outlook.  It just might change yours, too.  The book (the letter) opens with this:

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

by the will of God. . ."

Stop right there.  "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God. . ."  His identity was wholly wrapped up in the will of God. Who he was, where he was, his calling, his mission, and his role were all by the will of God.  And it came through in everything.  He opens five of his letters that way, and implies it at the beginning of three more of them.

Do you ever wish you could be that certain?  I mean in your particular role and calling.  In my case, Carol, husband to Scott, by the will of God; mother to Vera, by the will of God; mother to. . . here in Indiana.  You get the idea.  Try putting your own name in.  "____, ________, by the will of God."

Maybe that seems awkward, but if you are a believer in Jesus, you can be just as sure.  He is working out His sovereign will in your life just as surely as He did in Paul's life, or Peter's, or any of those other famous guys' lives in the beginning days of His church.  Very same God, you know.  And Peter reassured us in his second letter (II Peter 1:1) that we have received the same kind of faith as theirs.

We can be sure of our calling as His children and in the roles in which He has placed us.  Not only that, but as Paul explained to the people in Athens, God even determines when and where we will live, so we can rest assured in that, too.  (Acts 17:24-27)

Listen in on Paul's prayer for the saints at Colossae,

". . . we have not ceased to pray for you

and to ask that you may be

filled with the knowledge of His will

 in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that

you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,

to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work,

and increasing in the knowledge of God;

strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might,

for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience;

joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has

qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light."

Colossians 1:9-12

(emphasis mine)

When His wise sovereign will slips out of our focus, when we are filled with something other than the knowledge of His will, we get discouraged and down, questioning our calling, doubting the success of our mission, and we are tempted to give up.  All we can see are the challenges in front of us, which seem to mount by the minute and even gather strength against us.

But if, instead, we are filled with the knowledge of His will, then we understand that our circumstances are part of His elaborate plan for our good and His glory.  And we understand what He desires of us--those good works He has planned for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). Then our trust is in Him, we are strengthened by His power, we can be patient and steadfast, and we bear fruit, because we know it isn't all up to us.  Even as we wait on His timing or an answer to prayer, we have a confidence that comes from knowing that He will accomplish His will in our lives.  We can be "joyously giving thanks" because we have a living hope (I Peter I:3) that rests in His will.

This "being filled with the knowledge of His will" is so very crucial that Epaphras, who had brought the gospel to Colossae, was "always laboring earnestly in his prayers" for the Colossian believers that they would "stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God." Colossians 4:12 (emphasis mine)

I think we can be pretty sure that the answer to that prayer wouldn't be a discouraged person who says, "I just can't do this. . . Lord, this just isn't working!"  When we begin to doubt the roles we have, or the callings we've been given, we must remember that our sovereign God makes no mistakes.  Our identity--our calling, our role, who we are, where we are--is wholly wrapped up in His will.

Let us, too, earnestly ask the Lord that He would make us stand  fully assured in all the will of God; that He would strengthen us with His power, according to His glorious might; and that we would steadfastly, patiently, and joyously give thanks, as we trust in His wisdom and His will.

"Now the God of peace,

who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep. . . 

equip you in every good thing to do His will,

working in us that which is pleasing in His sight,

through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever.

Amen."

Hebrews 13:20-21

(emphasis mine)

P.S.  If you're looking for some especially encouraging Scriptures, I think you'll find Colossians 1, I Peter 1, and II Peter 1 are absolutely amazing.