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I have been re-reading 'Crazy Love' by Francis Chan for the Senior High Bible Study. So far I'm only in chapter two, but its so crazy how God finds ways to speak to us.
Lately I have been very stressed and worried, and when I started reading I turned right to this portion.
"Worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives.
Stress says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace towards others, and our tight grip of control.
Basically these two behaviors communicate that it's okay to sin and to not trust God because the stuff in my life is somehow exceptional. Both worry and stress reek of arrogance. They declare our tendency to forget that we've been forgiven, that our lives here are brief, that we are headed to a place where we won't be lonely, afraid, or hurt ever again, and that in the context of God's strength, our problems are small, indeed.
Why are we so quick to forget God? Who do we think we are?
Even though I glimpse God's holiness, I am still dumb enough to forget that life is is all about God and not about me at all."
Wow. Francis hit the nail right on the head. I have been so caught up in my issues, in my stresses, in my worry that I forget that GOD is in control. All loving, all powerful, all gracious GOD. Not me. Why should I think that my issues are too big for Him?
Recently I noticed that the Wii was stolen. I took a big hit on myself - it was my fault that the Wii was gone, that I was going to get in trouble. I prayed and worried and prayed and worried. I realized - sure, I was probably my lack of foresight that played a part in the Wii getting stolen - but in the big picture of things, does it really matter? Life is about finding ways to praise God, and I am thankful in this church that no one has gotten seriously injured, I have an amazing relationship with my youth group & the church goers, my family is slowly getting more stable, I am making a little life for myself in Kingman. Was the Wii a vital part of that? Nope. God is.
Sure, it stinks that the Wii is gone, but we can always raise money to get a new one. I still feel bad that it was partially my fault, but it someone really wanted to get the Wii, they could've, no matter how hard I might've tried to keep it secure. Unfortunately, that's how the world works. But, as Christians, we can continue to show the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. Maybe the person who took it needed money for food (I'd like to think positively).
God, in all of his wonder, kept us safe. To me, a Wii is a small issue compared to God's love. We might not have the Wii, but we do have God's grace, mercy, and forgiveness.
And to me, that means more. "Sing to GOD, everyone and everything! Get out his salvation news every day! Publish his glory among the godless nations, his wonders to all races and religions. And why? Because GOD is great—well worth praising! No god or goddess comes close in honor. All the popular gods are stuff and nonsense, but GOD made the cosmos! Splendor and majesty flow out of him, strength and joy fill his place. Shout Bravo! to GOD, families of the peoples, in awe of the Glory, in awe of the Strength: Bravo! Shout Bravo! to his famous Name, lift high an offering and enter his presence! Stand resplendent in his robes of holiness! God is serious business, take him seriously; he's put the earth in place and it's not moving. So let Heaven rejoice, let Earth be jubilant, and pass the word among the nations, "GOD reigns!" Let Ocean, all teeming with life, bellow, let Field and all its creatures shake the rafters; then the trees in the forest will add their applause to all who are pleased and present before GOD —he's on his way to set things right!" - 1 Chronicles 16:22-33 |
