Easy to say, hard to grasp.
April 21, 2009
I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
John 17:23 (ESV, emphasis added)
Jesus was perfect, and the Father loved him perfectly.
We are imperfect, and the Father loved us perfectly.
Wow.
The Uncontrolability of God (Reflections on Psalm 78:65)
April 6, 2009
“Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, like a strong man shouting because of wine.”Psalm 78:65
I invited you into my ponderings of this passage a few weeks ago and I thought I would share where my personal reflections went. I was initially disturbed by the image of God portrayed like a drunk because one who is under the influence of alcohol is usually considered as operating outside of their own control. However, as I talked this out with people I thought of my internal reaction to being in the presence of a strong, loud, drunk. I’m a little guy, and I thought of times when I had been around a person a foot taller and over 100lbs heaver than I when they were full of strong drink. There was no reasoning with this person. If he decided to do something I was utterly powerless to stop him. No eloquent words, or impressive argument, or physical threat would have the slightest impact on his decision. That thought captivated me in relationship to this passage. What if part of the reason for this image of God was to remind us of our inability to influence God? God described in similarity to being big, loud, and drunk is bringing a new dimension to the reality that God is fully outside of my control. That when He chooses to act on His own I am utterly insignificant in halting His actions. All illusions of control are taken away. It’s scary enough to realize there is nothing you can do to stop a person who is drunk. It is terrifying to realize that when God chooses to act without us we really are powerless to stop Him. I’m growing in the conviction that to fear God rightly is to realize His potential to act without us and His divine grace that invites us into co-labor with Him.
Just my thoughts at present. Reactions or responses?
