Embrace Your Territory

Acts 17:26 "From one man He made all the nations, and He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands."

Greetings,

One of my all-time favorite TV programs that I always have on in the background while I am cooking dinner is Little House on the Prairie.  I love that there was such a huge emphasis on family and faith, and more than once I have wondered what my life would have been like if I would have been born in 1865 as opposed to 1965.  Riding horses everywhere and using outdoor toilets anyone?

And why did my family choose to live in Georgia after immigrating from Cuba?  Sure, other relatives had already established roots there, but most settled in Miami.  It took us 17 years to head far south to the Magic City.

I also think about how if either of my children would have been born a couple days later, they would have started school an entire year later.  That would have meant a whole other group of friends for them and for me. 

All these questions have an easy answer: You were born when you were born, to the parents that you have, and you live where you live, work where you work, and are friends with the friends you have because every aspect of your time in history and the boundaries wherein God has placed you is a result of His purpose for your life.  Our Lord is in everything and nothing happens to us by chance or accident.  In His infinite wisdom, He decided that you should be where you are and with the people you are with.

Maybe you are reading this from your desk at work surrounded by some colleagues you love and some who frustrate you.  God has placed you there, so embrace your territory and be happy.  It has meaning, and it has purpose.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, How might our perspectives change if we truly embraced that You marked out this time for us in history and established our little corner of the universe for us?  Today we choose to believe that You know what You are doing and that nothing in our life is by chance.  Thank You for giving us life.  Thank You for our families.  Thank You for our friends. Help us live life to the fullest by filling us with Your peace, love, hope, faith, joy, and goodness.  In Jesus' name, AMEN.