Cosmic Accident or the Sovereignty of God?
I woke up this morning with a dull throb in the front of my mouth. Last night in a late-night wrestling war, I managed to break one of my front teeth in half.
I sort of resemble the dog on the right.
Anyway, at the moment that it happened I was overwhelmed with shock. Then it was followed with panic: I thought to myself, "OH CRAP -- I am supposed to meet with three people tomorrow ... including my boyfriend!" Then, God's Spirit in His mercy reminded me, "Donna, this is okay - God must have allowed this; He is in control of your broken tooth and He will take care of you." And that was it - I was calm... and even joking about it with my roommates. We even took some pictures for posterity (I'm not brave enough to post them yet).
Isn't it weird - I was just reading over Romans 8 with someone last night. I read that as followers of Christ, we are sealed with the Spirit - the body is dead because of sin but the Spirit is life because of righteousness (v.10). The Spirit intercedes with us in our weakeness when we pray to God according to the will of God ( v.26-27). Those verses are immediately followed by the famous verse 28-29: "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethern. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified."
Conclusion: For reasons beyond my finite mind, God sovereignly appointed that I would break my tooth last night - and that somehow it is working for my being conformed to the image of Christ, and/or working toward the body of Christ becoming conformed to His image. And even though in my vanity I am self-conscious about it and that I presently resemble Mike Tyson, I have every reason to rejoice because every moment of my life is not prone to chaotic cosmic accidents but rather it is being guided by the mighty hand of an all-powerful and loving God. Let's praise Him today for His severe mercy - that He desires our holiness more than our temporary happiness.
posted by Donna S. @ 8:27 AM
11 Comments:
Your attitude last night really convicted and inspired both of us, Donna. It was just further fruit - born of the Spirit - that the Lord has been so tenderly grooming in your life.
It definitely had to have been the Lord, my sweet roomie: Who else could have kept you calm amidst this "mini-storm"?
I pray all is going well at the dentist's, and I'll look forward to praising your new smile when you get home. Next time, we'll try to take it easy on you. :)
It has been a wild two days, hasn't it, Donna? It has been a joy
traveling with you to the dentist's offices and walking with you
through these last couple days.
The post on my blog is actally from today...a few thoughts I had while
driving back home in the snow.
God is so good, so faithful. I was sitting there in the dentist office today, listening to our favorite songs celebrating our Savior's birth, and was humbled as I was reminded of our glorious salvation.
We (you, Jen, and I) have the gift this year of celebrating together the historical birth of our Redeemer! What comfort it is to know that all three of us have known the cleansing work of Christ, having been offered His righteousness, and are now made white as snow!
Yes, all those thoughts while sitting in the waiting room at the dentist's office, listening to the sweet strains of "O Holy Night," and praising Him.
Thanks for sharing, Donna. I am still amazed that somebody knocked half your front tooth out. You guys don't mess around when it comes to wrestling. Your attitude about the whole thing is such an awesome example for all of us.
Donna, I'm quite confident that even with half a tooth missing, you do NOT look even remotely like Mike Tyson. I'm sure that you were still quite lovely. All the same, I'm glad that everything seems to have worked out with the dentist.
Donna,
OUCH! That must have hurt.
In situations like this, it is quite easy to see at least one thing God wants from you as a response to this: that you put less of your joy in your looks. You are an attractive girl (that's one of the reasons Jason was IMMEDIATELY attracted to you--remember?:), and those who are more gifted in physical appearance have a greater temptation to find joy in that.
Would you be as happy if your face were mangled in a car accident? Answer: By the grace of God--YES! Why? Because as you so wonderfully mentioned, God desires that our joy be a holy joy (not a temporary joy), so that we find our happiness more and more in Him rather than in us. The biggest part of holiness (set-apart-ness) is finding our joy in God (this sets us apart from the world). Our hearts are only as sanctified to the degree that we delight in the Glory of God.
God only desires your holiness more than your temporary happiness because happiness in Him is not temporary. In fact, he doesn't desire your temporary happiness at all, He is only interested in that kind of happiness which is eternal (though we seek it and experience it now). Why? Because the chief end of the universe is that God would be glorified through our happiness in Him. Temporary happiness ends. Happiness in God is equivilent to eternal pleasure. God is weaning us more and more (espcially as we get older) off of joy in ourselves, our looks, etc. and helping us to feed more and more on Him, that our hearts be more happy, and this Glorifies Him.
Jose - you know that Chyna was my nickname in high school/college band, right? Aw, yeah...
Thanks for all your comments, and reminding me that this temporary situation is just a blink in eternity - may God be magnified in all of this.
Donna I'm sorry to hear about your dental misfortune. At least we live in an age where technology can afford us the ability to hide chipped teeth. Not only that, but 50 years ago we'd all have black, rotten teeth. That would be gross. So don't be shy! Post those chipped teeth pictures!! ;)
I leave Wednesday - hope you're doing well! IT was great knowing you here at seminary, thanks for being my friend.
I'm sorry for your loss.....
the greek word pronounced "toof-loss" is the Greek word for "blind"
now THAT changes everything...
I vote you post the pictures of the brokentooth already :)
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