The Result Of Preaching The Sovereignty Of God

It had to happen. It was inevitable. In fact, it was so obviously going to happen, I was actually expecting it.

I have been mentioning the sovereignty of God over the past few weeks in my messages in Philippians. Particularly in Philippians 1:12-18; and if you have listened to it, you will know what I mean. I mentioned things like flat tyres on the way to the airport, dead hard drives, and a host of other things, being brought into your life in order to make you more like Christ.

Things happen in our lives that cause us to initially cry, “Why?” Instead of crying in opposition to the sovereign will of God, I was exhorting the people to submit to it, and recognise that God causes all things to happen in order to glorify himself.

So, since I’ve been preaching this, I was expecting something to happen to me that would make me initially ask God, “Why?” Well, last night it happened.

Around 10:45pm, I was going from the livingroom to the study to get something, (which later I realised was in the livingroom anyway), and I walked down the hall in the dark. At the end of the hall is a door which is never shut, but for some reason, it had moved and was about a third, to one half of the way shut. The result was the following…

split

It just so happens, this particular door also has a very high door knob, and because I couldn’t see, I hit my head squarely on the protruding metal which locks into the striking plate in the door frame. (This photo was taken almost 24 hours after the incident, so it’s not as gaping as it was initially, but you can see I’m going to have some nice scarring for a few weeks).

As I held my head, I didn’t realise I was cut, but I lay on the floor like a typical ‘drama queen’ so that Melanie thought it was something serious. When she asked me to remove my hand for the third or fourth time (suspense adds to the drama ;) ), I consented, and it was then I realised I was bleeding, as I saw the blood in the palm of my right hand.

Working in an engineering firm (as I did before I came to Australia), this isn’t so bad. But having to stand before people on Sunday immediately makes you think…what am I going to tell everyone? What are they going to think?

I lay there thinking…why? However, after about two minutes, I started to laugh hysterically. Poor Melanie thought it might have been a symptom of concussion. I mean, why would I laugh so much with blood pouring out of my forehead? Well, I was laughing because I knew it had to happen. Something had to happen to make me practice what I preach, and so I lay there holding my heading, and inwardly praising with the words, “Be thou magnified in this oh Lord”.

Just in case you’re worried, I’m ok. I was dizzy for quite some time after, and my head was throbbing pretty bad. Tomorrow though, three separate congregations are going to have a good chuckle to themselves!

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Added Commentary

  • #1 of 8
    By Jason
    on 18.08.07

    Now there’s a picture! You gave me a good laugh tonight! Sorry about the bump.

  • #2 of 8
    By Nath @ Reformed Geek
    on 19.08.07

    I really do have sympathy for you Armen - I did a similar thing only recently…same spot on my head as well.

    Praise God that He is sovereign. ;)

  • #3 of 8
    By paul+laura
    on 20.08.07

    ‘Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.’ John 12:35

    …perhaps this is your answer to … WHY?

    God bless

  • #4 of 8
    By Andrew Parker
    on 20.08.07

    Great close-up. I hope you are feeling better now.

    Maybe a little chuckle but what about Rita you should of seen her.

    As you know Armen the Lord works in mysterious ways.

  • #5 of 8
    By Armen
    on 21.08.07

    Jason - Thanks brother.

    Nath - It’s fairly embarrassing…but we all get our turn at laughing at one anothers expense now and again.

    Mr & Mrs McC - Perhaps…I’ll know to switch the light on in future, that’s for sure!

    Andrew - Was Rita laughing hard? I never noticed, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she was! :)

  • #6 of 8
    By Glenn...on behalf of your Mum, Armen!
    on 25.08.07

    Hi Armen, your Mum is visiting tonight, and I am keeping her updated with your site, and she is horrified with your injury!

    I think she wishes she could have been there to comfort you, her wee pet-lamb!

    No, seriously….she said “What is Melanie playing at? That definately needed a stitch, or a steri-strip at least!”

    No, seriously…she said she thinks you will survive it !

    BTW, she passed her driving test today, with flying colours, by all accounts! By the time you are home, the roads should be safe again ! ( I’m thinking of giving up the driving for a while, just to be sure)

  • #7 of 8
    By Kelsey
    on 25.08.07

    hey armen it looks really sore in the picture u make it worse than it looks i thought it was a zit on your head when you were preaching

  • #8 of 8
    By Armen
    on 26.08.07

    Glenn - I’m pretty much healed up now, so she’s a little late in the consolation. I did laugh at the suggestion of a “steri-strip” though. It’s a good job she wasn’t here when it happened!

    As for the driving…you’ll not get greater proof that “nothing is impossible with God”.

    Kelsey - Thanks Kelsey…very encouraging :)

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