God is really big! Really, really big, actually. The greatness and bigness of God has been on my heart a lot lately. In the book of Isaiah the prophet says: "[God] has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span" (Is 40:12). Have you stood next to the ocean or stared up at the sky on a starry night lately? They're pretty big, huh? Well, God measures the oceans and heavens by the span of his hand! Things don't really come bigger than God. And in the light of God's greatness the truth of my smallness is revealed.
It is hard for me to fathom these truths. What has been even harder for me is to accept them. If I believe God is really big and that I am really small, then that means that I am not, or at least should not be, at the center of everything. Makes sense, right? Sure it does. My brain and my heart both agree that God is big. He should be first. He is in charge. But, I am beginning to realize that at times my actions suggest otherwise.
You see, I always have a plan. I always have a goal. I am a doer. A fixer. I get things done. I wake up in the morning and ask myself "What do I need to get done today?" This was basically my daily routine, that is, until I came across Job 42:2, where Job acknowledges God by saying, "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted." It is short and sweet, but boy does this this verse pack a punch.
If God's plan can't be stopped, if God is doing something, and already has a plan, then why do I need one? I realized I should be waking up and asking myself "What is God doing today and how can I get involved?" According to Job, God's plan is perfect. His plan will come to fruition; it is going to happen with our without us. So, I guess that leaves us with a new question, doesn't it?
What happens when our plans don't match up with God's plan?
This is where things can get tough. We have two choices: we can trust in God and His perfect plan or we can decide to "play god" ourselves and do what we think is best. The Book of Jeremiah explains to us that God does have a plan for us. God says that He knows "the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jer 29:11). Now, I am not saying that it is easy to surrender to God's will, plan or timing. No way. But we can find consolation when we turn to God's word. God is God. He is in control. Today, pray with me for the strength and grace to join ourselves to God's plan.
"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all." 1 Chronicles 29:11
Showing posts with label christian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label christian. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
For Love of the Game
Last week, my wife and I were riding in the car, and we began talking about the sports we use to play growing up. I don't know how we got on the subject but it is always fun to reminisce, isn't it? As I talked to my wife about the "glory days", I talked about how I would pride myself on the injuries I sustained while playing sports I loved. Bruises, strains, sprains, and even broken bones were received like a badge of honor in my book; the greater the pain the greater the honor. It was all worth it for the love of the game.
Once we were home, and long after that conversation ended, I started thinking about all that I had put myself through for the sports I played: the vigorous workout schedules, broken bones, blood, and tears; I had to ask myself, "what do I have to show for it?" Yes, I have some great stories and memories, some trophies that are collecting dust somewhere, and some friends from teams of old that I still keep in touch with, but, I am not making a living playing those sports that I spent hours and hours working on every week; and those sports don't play a major part in my daily life anymore, if any part at all.
After that realization, I then turned to an even tougher question: "Compared to sports, how much effort have I put into my faith?" The answer scared me. I have wrecked myself for a game, but could I do the same for Christ?
Somehow people have come to believe that Christianity is a simple thing and takes very little effort on our part. Just be nice. Smile. Go to Church and you should be good, right? I know I grew up with that philosophy when it came to how I approached my relationship with God. However, that is not the case at all. To follow Christ is challenging. It is radical and counter-cultural. Following Christ will lead to immense joy and peace of course, but it also leads to hardship and persecution. This shouldn't be a shock to anyone, Jesus said it himself when he declared, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Lk 9 23).
When we are challenged on behalf of our faith will we give up because things get too tough, or will we push on through the opposition?
Could we stand as faithful Christians even when those around us are pressuring us to do otherwise?
Can we accept struggles, sufferings, or humiliations for the faith, knowing that Christ suffered for us on the cross first?
Lastly, we cannot forget the hopeful message the Jesus preached: "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great" (Mt 5:11-12). The difficulties that we face in this world will not be forgotten. And I used to think the scars my friends and I I got from playing sports were cool; I can't wait to see the reward that awaits us when I reach the pearly gates.
Once we were home, and long after that conversation ended, I started thinking about all that I had put myself through for the sports I played: the vigorous workout schedules, broken bones, blood, and tears; I had to ask myself, "what do I have to show for it?" Yes, I have some great stories and memories, some trophies that are collecting dust somewhere, and some friends from teams of old that I still keep in touch with, but, I am not making a living playing those sports that I spent hours and hours working on every week; and those sports don't play a major part in my daily life anymore, if any part at all.
After that realization, I then turned to an even tougher question: "Compared to sports, how much effort have I put into my faith?" The answer scared me. I have wrecked myself for a game, but could I do the same for Christ?
Somehow people have come to believe that Christianity is a simple thing and takes very little effort on our part. Just be nice. Smile. Go to Church and you should be good, right? I know I grew up with that philosophy when it came to how I approached my relationship with God. However, that is not the case at all. To follow Christ is challenging. It is radical and counter-cultural. Following Christ will lead to immense joy and peace of course, but it also leads to hardship and persecution. This shouldn't be a shock to anyone, Jesus said it himself when he declared, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Lk 9 23).
When we are challenged on behalf of our faith will we give up because things get too tough, or will we push on through the opposition?
Could we stand as faithful Christians even when those around us are pressuring us to do otherwise?
Can we accept struggles, sufferings, or humiliations for the faith, knowing that Christ suffered for us on the cross first?
Lastly, we cannot forget the hopeful message the Jesus preached: "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great" (Mt 5:11-12). The difficulties that we face in this world will not be forgotten. And I used to think the scars my friends and I I got from playing sports were cool; I can't wait to see the reward that awaits us when I reach the pearly gates.
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