On My Mind...

I have a pastor friend in another state and we talk on the phone regularly.  We call each other in an effort to encourage one another.  We talk about what’s going on in our families and in our churches.  We share our joys and heartaches.  We talk about our struggles.  When he is telling me about the struggles in his congregation I usually say, “Well you know what you ought to do” and then I give him some ridiculous suggestion like, “Boy you ought to just say to them… and then you ought to…”  He usually laughs and says, “Harris, you’re helping me again!”  

I’m convinced, that from time to time my Heavenly Father is looking down at me and saying, “Harris, you’re helping me again!”  Don’t you just find yourself from time to time lending the Almighty a helping hand?  Don’t you from time to time find yourself thinking, “Lord, you’re taking a little too long on this.  We need to keep this thing moving.”  “Lord, I know that you’re busy and haven’t had time to study this situation so let me fill you in – this is what you need to do, and it needs to be done by Thursday.”

My running joke, to those who talk to me and complain about the weather, is to say, “Don’t talk to me, I’m in sales not management.”  But when it comes to the business of daily living out my faith – I often act as if I am in management.  And I’m not alone in my rebellion.  It is one thing to “hold to” the doctrine of God’s Sovereignty, it is another thing to live in submission to His sovereignty.  The psalmist said, “Our God is in heaven and he does whatever pleases him” (Psalm 115:3).  That’s a troubling thought to many but how could it be otherwise?  If God is God, then he is in control.  If God is God, then whatever pleases him is good and right, in fact, it’s perfect!  The notion of God doing “whatever he pleases” is troubling if not for his character.  Our God, the God of the Bible, is not capricious, arbitrary or unstable.  He is good, merciful, gracious, kind and holy.  He is a God who can be trusted.  Trusted to do what is right.  Trusted to do what is loving and merciful.  This faithful God has promised never to leave us or forsake us.  He has promised to supply all our needs according to his riches in glory.  He has promised to finish the work he began in us.  So, rest in him.  Fight the urge to “help him out” and just rest in his sovereign care.  When you understand that he works all things for your good and his glory, the idea of his doing whatever pleases him is not troubling at all – it’s actually quite comforting.
 
Have a blessed week and I will see you Sunday.

Rod