I have feature on my Google homepage that is intended to be funny. They post inane thought under the title "Things to Ponder." Think "Deep Thoughts by Hal Lindsey " from the early 90s and you'll have the idea.
However, recently they spoofed this quote from Shakespeare's As You Like It:
All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages.
With this:
If the entire world is a stage, where is the audience sitting?
Well, it's actually an excellent question. And the answer is quite easy:
His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. --Ephesians 3:10-11
Did you know that your life--and in this passage, specifically the mystery of the Church--is being played out on a stage for all the angelic beings (good and bad) to witness? It is designed so that they may recognize the wisdom of God.
It seems that this then begs a question: Are they recognizing His wisdom in my life? I don't know about you, but some days, I'm ready for the next part of the play to start, a tiny 'refresh' moment where I can get my 'motivation' right and properly prepare my 'lines.' So today...I'm declaring the start of Act II! :-)
Not play-acting, but an actor in God's play,
-J
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. --Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV
(c) 2008
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2 comments:
Wow! I don't come her for a while, and you write a book. I just need to check daily, even in those times when you fail us.
I love Deep Thoughts.
I don't know that I would have thought of that. Thank you for sharing. Who are angels? I am serious. Does the Bible say? Scott put on my mom's memorial program that she is an angel. I did not think so.
Hey - remember to scan the recipe for me.
Rachel: Ouch! When I *fail* you. I'll have to work on being more consistent.
On Angels: Angels are a completely separate creation from people. They were created by God at some point before He created people, and probably before Day 1 of 'Creation.' People do not become angels, nor do angels become people.
One significant difference is that angels had only one opportunity in all of eternity to decide whether to remain in their original perfect state or to go their own way. And when that happened, their fates were sealed. Angels who chose to follow Satan were cast from heaven and will NEVER be redeemed. They will someday be cast in the Lake of Fire--the place God has prepared for them.
Humans, on the other hand, were not 'sealed' permanently into their sinful state; God preserved them from this by kicking them out of the Garden of Eden before before the ate of the Tree of Life. Then, He sent Jesus to become sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). God has given us humans a lot more grace, I think. And I am so GRATEFUL!
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