Arrangement

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

In a previous blog post “His Ways” I began to define God’s Orchestra using Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary.  While I didn’t have any clearer understanding of the meaning of God’s Orchestra, I found a clue which gave a direction to follow.  The definition of orchestra emphasized the word arrange, so the next logical step was to look up the definition of arrange and for the sake of defining His Orchestra, I will replace ‘orchestra’ with ‘arrange’ and God’s Orchestra becomes God’s Arrange.

Arrange is a verb, circa 1789, with it’s etymology from Middle English arangen; and from Middle French arangier; from Old French, from a- + rengier to set in a row, and from reng, which means row.

ar·range,  -ranged; -rang·ing,  transitive senses,1 : to make preparations for : PLAN <arranged a reception for the visitor>
2 : to put into a proper order or into a correct or suitable sequence, relationship, or adjustment <arrange flowers in a vase> <arrange cards alphabetically>
3 a : to adapt (a musical composition) by scoring for voices or instruments other than those for which orig. written b : ORCHESTRATE
4 : to bring about an agreement or understanding concerning : SETTLE <arrange an exchange of war prisoners>
intransitive senses
1 : to bring about an agreement or understanding <arranged to have a table at the restaurant>
2 : to make preparations : PLAN <arranged for a vacation with his family>
synonym see ORDER
- ar·rang·er, noun

From the definition of arrange, I could see the emphasis on the word plan.  So following my earlier notion and replacing arrange with plan, God’s Arrange becomes God’s Plan.  

Now, I think we are getting somewhere, but can it really be this simple?  Would I find the meaning of God’s Orchestra, His Plan, in the dictionary? 

The definition of arrange shows me that God’s Orchestra can be defined, in part, when we allow Him to arrange the details of our life.  

When we allow God to direct our life, He will take our cacophonous circumstances and create a melodious arrangement for our good and His Glory.

You Are God's Opus

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10 - New King James Version (NKJV) 

The word "workmanship" used in this verse in the original Greek is: ποίημα. Phonetically it is read as poiéma (poy'-ay-mah) and means "a work" according to Strong's Concordance. The short definition is "a thing made"
and a longer definition is "a thing made, a work, workmanship."

Poiéma comes from a primitive root word ποιέω which is read as poieó (poy-eh'-o) and means "to make, do." The short definition is "I do, make" and a longer definition is "(a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause."

This word is only used twice in the entire bible. The other instance is Romans 1:20
"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse."

We are "the things that are made." We are "...His workmanship created in Christ..." to walk in the "...good works, which God prepared beforehand..."

Like the conductor of an Orchestra, He will direct us. Our life is our instrument but we have to choose whether or not we will play it. Whether or not we will let Him direct us.