Message from Space

I really want to go into something today as an addendum to my “Wants, Needs and Should Haves” post.  To do this, I have to go into a realm that is a little odd.  I have to dive into a sci-fi TV show for a message from space.

So I was watching an episode of Battlestar Gallactica, and there was a dialog that resonated so true for my life.  I’m not going to give you the word-for-word recap because that would be too geeky, but here is the gist.

One of the main characters, Starbuck, goes to an “oracle” who tells her the core motivations of her life story.  Starbuck had a very troubled past of extreme abuse by her mother, and her life bore the marks of this relationship.  Starbuck made a lifetime of poor choices in response. The oracle stated pointedly that Starbuck listened to the messenger and missed the message. Amazingly, I did this as well in my life, and I don’t think it is at all uncommon.

As I reflected on the meaning of those words, I think I gleaned an amazing insight. Starbuck was taken through a life crisis to be developed in unseen ways. There was a secret purpose not immediately evident in the obvious abuse.  The messenger, her mother, communicated hate, but the message behind this destructive person was meant to form Starbuck to meet a lifetime calling.

So back on earth (hahaha), Jennifer’s last post expressed how this relates to me personally.  My dissatisfaction with my father was me struggling with the messenger.  I translated his level of interaction with me as rejection, but the reality was that it was formative.  God, my Creator, set up a scenario that would form and fashion me for my life.  I was the one who exalted my limited understanding of the circumstances and believed the wrong message.

And of course I did, I was unsaved!  But this doesn’t let me off the hook.  I am still responsible for all my many actions even in my ignorance of the true purpose.  But the amazing thing is that God had a message within the messenger of my father.  He had a divinely orchestrated purpose that still had its way despite my myopia.

God was forming me to be a man engaged with His world.  He was crafting the man who would be me.  The message was delivered despite my opposition.  Neither I nor the messenger dismayed God’s plan.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11