One thing I've been doing lately is using the "Random Page" link on Wikipedia's sidebar. I decided that learning one new thing via Wikipedia daily would be a fascinating, enjoyable, and excellent way to expand my mind in many diverse directions. So, whenever I happen to think of it, I click the button and read the first interesting random article (I haven't inadvertently stumbled across any inappropriate articles, but I'm obviously being careful about that), and I've learned so far about several fascinating items.
The first time I clicked the button, a list of baseball pitchers appeared. No offense to anybody, but I could care less about baseball. So I clicked on to the next article and learned about Radio Free Asia, a 1950's Congress-sponsored American propaganda station that broadcast to Asia in nine local dialects. The Communist governments jammed several of the stations in order to prevent the American propaganda from reaching the general populace and swaying them against Communism and towards democracy. Eventually, Radio Free Asia assumed its current identity as a station dedicated to broadcasting unbiased world news to isolated Asian countries, still in the local dialect.
While I found RFA fascinating, especially considering that we have studied the 1950s in history class recently, today's article has been by far my favorite. It is about Doquz Khatun, a Mongol princess in the 1200's, who was a Nestorian Christian and who is known as a great benefactress of the Christian faith. Her husband was a Mongol ruler, and she would accompany him on his conquests and campaigns. In 1258, the Mongols massacred many thousands, but by the order of Doquz the Christians were spared.
While I primarily disagree with the Nestorian doctrine, which separates Christ's humanity and divinity, I was very encouraged to hear of how God used Doquz to protect His people. Like Esther, Doquz was given an opportunity to protect and honor God's sons and daughters. Indeed, she was placed in her time and married to her husband "for such a time as this."
While the article is brief, it was really encouraging to me. This is what I meant by saying God used Wikipedia--He reminded me that each of us is truly placed here "for such a time as this." So often I forget that God has a purpose for each and every day of my life--whether to encourage someone, to stand with them in prayer, or simply--especially--to know Him better. I discussed that here. And that is a reminder I believe that we could all use more often.
I'm so very thankful that there's more to life than what we can see, a deeper meaning and purpose and love of God than we can even understand. His ways and His thoughts are higher than ours...I so easily forget that life is about more than just finishing my homework and following my agenda. I know, I know, I know deep within that life is so much bigger and deeper than that, but I suppose I don't typically live like it to the extent that I should.
Anna R. B. Lindsay said, "That we are alive today is proof positive that God has something for us to do today." I have been blessed by God with a timely reminder that, indeed, I have been placed here "for such a time as this." And through Wikipedia, nonetheless--God is so awesome that He really can work through anything He wants to use. He is good!
1 comment:
That's really cool Julia! It's really neat how God can use anything to teach us when we are open to being taught. <3
Laura
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