All in God's Character
I noticed my Labrador standing perfectly still in a somewhat crouched position, half-in and half-out of the bathroom. Her gaze was fixed upon something. I questioned, “Chloe, what do you see?” She turned toward me, and then turned back, assuming the same position. As I came closer, I noticed her gaze was upon the trash can. Inside was an empty toilet paper roll—the forbidden thing she loves to shred and devour!
“God did this” begs the question from Paul’s debaters: God did what? God made the world and everything in it; God is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything; God determined the times set for (every man)and the exact places where they should live (Acts 17:24-26). God did this all for you, “Men of Athens!”(17:22). Pay attention to what I (Paul) am about to say next. And all ears pricked up for Paul’s so that!
Rules. Rules. Rules. Who wants rules?! But rules really aren’t all bad. Think of Henry Ford when he invented the Model T in 1908. Once he had his first car up and running he had to figure out how to keep it running, how to repair it when it broke down, how to manufacture more of these classics. In other words, he needed rules.
’Tis true ladies, He who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth. Not only did He speak the heavens and the earth and the creatures into being, and lovingly mold man from the dust of the earth (Genesis 1-2). Our God sustains all He made, as surely as the world spins. He did not create and walk away from the grandeur. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together (Colossians 1:17). If this were the kingdom-of-me, I can only imagine what things would be like.
It is as Eugene Peterson says in the introduction to his Message translation: “Ours is not a neat and tidy world in which we are assured that we can get everything under our control…there is mystery everywhere.” Truth is though, we don’t need to be caught in the spin of uncertainty when we know the God who made the world and everything in it.
If one were to attach a descriptor to 2020, it could easily be: spinning out of control! I am reminded of the title to the 1961 musical made famous by Anthony Newley: Stop the World, I want to Get Off. 2020—exactly! Ever wonder who was in control through the months of uncertainty? The experts wavered—how was the virus transmitted? are surfaces contaminated? how close is close? do we need to wear masks? how long to quarantine? And we still don’t really have answers.
If you are anything like me you may not enjoy war movies. Blood and guts, people dying – just not my thing to watch. It just hurts my heart to think things like these battles have happened and are still happening.
Even though not my favorite, I have watched bits and pieces of some war movies. I think back to ones fought with bows and arrows. Though embellished for the viewers’ entertainment, I can still picture the thousands of arrows flying through the air. Many of those same arrows pierced their intended targets while others fell by the wayside.
The day Drew moved out followed ten months of limbo. It had been an awful day. The kids cried themselves to sleep. It was late when Dana climbed into bed. She sat propped up on her side of the double bed and opened her Bible. She hadn’t planned to read Romans 8, but the words were there for her that night.
God’s words touched her gently, much like the romantic gesture of being presented a single, long-stemmed red rose.
Eight months had passed since Drew’s and Dana’s ten-year marriage started to unravel. Uncharacteristically, Drew accompanied Dana and the children to church one Sunday morning. It was Valentine’s Day.
The service was unremarkable until the associate pastor announced he would be teaching on romantic love from Song of Solomon.
Drew and Dana began marriage counseling with a Christian counselor soon after their move. Drew finally admitted to having an extramarital affair. As devastating as the news was, Dana expressed the willingness to forgive him. Her commitment to keep their family intact held steady. Drew wanted a separation, but he took no action to move out.
Following Drew’s confession that he didn’t love her, Dana’s feelings continued to reel. She felt lost at sea one moment and anchored by faith the next. Soon thereafter, Drew received his new job assignment that required moving fifteen hundred miles away.
Dana felt sweet anticipation as the day began. It was her 10th wedding anniversary. Drew, her husband, was home from completing some out-of-town professional training for his new job. The last few months they’d only spent a few weekends together so she was excited about celebrating today.
Wow! The children of Israel had made it through the Red Sea on their exodus out of slavery and Egypt. What a spiritual high!
What did they do in response? They trusted in God, they sang, and they praised him.
I found it troubling as I read through the book of Exodus how many times Pharaoh changed his mind about letting the Israelites go. I kept wondering why chapter after chapter.
“Shiphrah” and “Puah”, I stumble over the pronunciation of their names, but they, on the other hand, did not stumble when it came to obeying God. They stood firm.
Ever since we moved to South Texas, my concern about the lime trees in our back yard increased. I knew nothing about taking care of fruit trees, so I searched for help online.
I cannot wait to see Big Roy every morning when I wake up. He brings me so much pleasure and joy. He thrills me.
Lest I confuse you, no, my husband’s name is not Roy. Big Roy lives in my small garden outside my bedroom window. Big Roy is a tomato plant. His stature, seven inches tall when I planted him now reaches five feet a few short months later.
I looked down at my text and laughed, “About to be in my way.” What I meant to say was, “About to be ON my way.” I had intended to let a friend know of my plan, but had inadvertently led myself to ponder my mistake.
In my way – how many times have I done just that – gotten in my own way of doing things God’s way?
My professional background is in healthcare, and ever since my very first anatomy and physiology class I have been fascinated with the beauty, complex simplicities, and precision of God’s creation-----us!
Jehovah Mekoddishkem (mek-KAH-dish-KIM) is a long, tongue-twisty name for an incredibly important truth.
It is God who set us apart for His purposes and accomplishes sanctification in our life. Our job is to follow Him in trust and obedience.
