The title of this sermon, "You Have Outwitted Me," comes from the writings of Brother Lawrence. I am indebted to John Imel, who discovered the quote, shared it at a staff devotion some years ago.

Brother Lawrence entered a monastic order thinking that he was giving up the happiness of this world to become a monk. He discovered instead a deeper happiness in a monastic life than he had ever imagined. He said, "God, you have outwitted me."

That's a wonderful phrase, and a testimony to what we call the providence of God. It comes from the same word as our word "provide." As in, "God our Maker doth provide all our wants to be supplied," which we sing at Thanksgiving. That is what providence means. We believe that there is a power greater than our own powers, and who is in control of things ev…