God Connects Dots
By Marlene Houk
Burke County
2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
A friend recently posted about how God had worked in her life to bring about solutions to her needs. She said, “God connects dots we didn’t know existed.”
I’ve heard the words, “connect the dots” most of my life. Cambridge Dictionary defines the phrase as, “to understand the relationships between different facts or events so that you fully understand a situation.” I realized the wisdom of this phrase applies especially to spiritual truths. Connecting the dots empowers us to see beyond the drama in the stories of Bible women as recorded by the Master Storyteller, God Himself. Although their stories are entertaining, finding our way backstage of the women’s experiences and discovering the spiritual impact elevates critical lessons for our lives. Discovering and understanding the many connections within and between the stories of Bible women helps us to comprehend God’s messages to us as women today.
God connects the dots—circumstances—of our lives to benefit us in many ways. I’ve often used the method of connecting the dots in advising others and myself. Understanding the relationship between spiritual truths and my current problems provides direction and connects me to God. A few examples of the dots He has connected for me are:
- When I’m irritated or annoyed at someone’s actions, God has helped me to tolerate and respond scripturally by connecting the dots between their spiritual gifts (See Romans 12:6-8) and their comments and actions. As people in the Bible reveal their spiritual gifts, both righteously and unrighteously, I apply their stories to the people in my life. Although people who irritate may be using their gift in an unbiblical way, I can understand the background of their comments or actions. I can then respond calmly by using my own gifts rather than erupt in reaction.
- When I see patterns in Bible stories such as repetition, the Holy Spirit connects the dots from Bible stories to my life. The clear message emerges that trusting God to work in my life helps me to see the treasure in my pit. Trusting Him turns my focus from my trials to Him. The repeating pattern of stories in the Bible about those who trust the Lord teaches me to look through God’s viewpoint as life slings trials my way.
- God connects the dots of different areas of my life as He nudges me to pray the prayers of the Bible. What fun to discover how God works in my life, molding, shaping, and opening my eyes to His abundant love and care for me. Sometimes, his whimsical solutions to my problems even make me laugh at His creativity and sense of humor! One of the most effective prayers I’ve enjoyed through the years—and one that I often recommend to friends—is Colossians 1:9. In it, Paul tells the Colossians that he is praying that they “might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” I add my specific situation such as a problem in parenting. Praying this prayer refocuses me on God rather than my feelings. In turn, I watch for God at work rather than feel as if I need to fix everything.
As my friend said so succinctly, God connects dots—both in my life and in the Bible—and I’m transformed into His image when I follow His connected dots.
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Marlene is an author and teacher of Bible studies. She may be reached at Biblelady167@gmail.com
To receive helpful insight from the Bible, sign up for her newsletter at http://www.MarleneHouk.com, or connect with her on other social media. You can read more good Christian News from Marlene HERE.
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Blue Ridge Christian News covers Avery County, Burke County, McDowell County, Mitchell County, Yancey County, and Madison County in North Carolina, and Christian news from around the country.
