Many of you who have ever had to use medicated creams in a tube, or even some brands of toothpaste would know that there is a small spike recessed into the cap. This is so that you may open the foil seal by inverting the cap and pressing into the seal.
Have you ever been in an aircraft and noticed a small hole at the bottom of the window pane? It's called a breather hole and is a safety feature employed so that if the pressure in the cabin builds up the inner pane stays intact.
A colourful fluffy pom pom on top of a beanie or other type of hat is quite a common fashion feature. Well, many years ago pom poms were added to the tops of the berets of French Marines so that the tops of their heads would have cushioning in the cramped spaces of the ships and submarines.
Whether we're looking at random Did You Know? facts or contemplating the meaning of life, the phrase 'SO THAT' is key in indicating the purpose of something.
FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO
Many times in scripture we see where God allowed a single thing or series of events to occur so that another thing entirely might be accomplished, usually to the effect that His glory be seen.
Joseph after being betrayed by his brothers ended up in prison SO THAT he would gain an audience with the Pharaoh and subsequently be installed as Prime Minister.
In John chapter 9 we see the account of Jesus healing the man who was blind from birth. The disciples questioned whether this resulted from his sin or his parents. Jesus' response was that it was neither;
This happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him John chapter 9 verse 3
Another SO THAT example in scripture that is known the world over: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John chapter 3 verse 16
It’s one of the greatest statements of love ever written. Out of God's love for us He sent His Son to pay our debt SO THAT we may one day be with Him in eternity.
IT'S NOT FAIR
If you're a parent you've probably heard that phrase recently but parent or not we've all at some point uttered these words or had them hurled at us.
Life not being fair is a fact. But what is fair? Jesus being subjected to the most painful and humiliating death known to mankind for crimes He never committed is NOT FAIR at all yet it is the reason we all are alive today.
God has inserted SO THAT moments throughout history to give purpose to the things we look on as trials, blunders or just sheer nonsense.
Over a decade ago in the throes of agony from my recent diagnosis of lupus and my husband's diagnosis of stage 4 cancer I cried out to God. It didn't make sense for Him to give us these babies, we had a one year old and a two month old at the time, for us to be taken out by sickness.
God's reply to me clear as day was "I kept you healthy SO THAT these children could be here"
Today my husband is cancer free and whilst I still live with lupus, I give thanks that I'm still LIVING. Does it feel fair? Many times no, but God graciously revealed that all of this has a purpose and that makes all the difference.
IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU
Have you ever encountered something, good or bad, and sat wondering what you did to deserve it?
Sometimes the answer is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
I know for a fact that myself, my siblings, my cousins and all of our children are beneficiaries of the prayers, discipline and integrity which marked the lives of all of our grandparents. There are doors that have been opened for us because of actions that took place decades ago, blessings that have come forth that have nothing to do with us. In the same way, unfortunately, some families experience very negative fallout from the actions of generations past.
I am mindful that I have to live my life here on earth in such a way that my children's children and their children will benefit. Hard work that I put in now I may never see the fruit of, but it's not about me.
EASE THE STING
Looking out for the SO THAT moments in our lives goes far beyond what directly impacts us. There are people in different parts of the world and in generations to come whose twists and turns in life are being dictated by what we do here and now.
A tough time is a tough time but when God gives us a glimpse of the purpose behind the pain it often fortifies our resolve to fight the illness, to push past the betrayal, to ignore the negativity at work and to keep going in spite of the grief.
Danelle M. Pinnock first emerged as a writer when she began chronicling her journey with God, through a debilitating sickness. Her authentic reflections provided encouragement to many and resulted in her first publication “31 Day Devotional- Quiet Time.”
This full time homemaker, a proud Jamaican, lives in Kingston with her husband Raul and their two children Levi and Zhuri. Along with her freelance writing, she is a worship leader at her church where her husband, a cancer survivor, serves as a deacon.
Follow her on Instagram @danellewritesstuff to learn how God guides a woman with a background in Chemistry, Business Management and Public Health to skillfully pen His methods and His ways through sickness, marriage and parenting.