As a new year begins, the idea of time and how I use it comes to mind. I preached on this last Sunday. "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven...", the Preacher wrote in Ecclesiastes. He also wrote that God has made it that way and he has put a sense of the past and the future in us, but it is a mystery about what God has done from the beginning to the end.
The psalmist wrote, "So teach us to number our days, that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom." (90:12) and in Ephesians 5:15-16 we are exhorted to "...be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time because the days are evil."
Hmmm...2010...what "season" will this year be? Will I value my time and honor God with it? Will I seek wisdom for decisions and actions? Will I be careful to walk in wisdom?
I pray so...
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
God is in control...
Someone said this the other day...God is in conrol. What is meant by that? When we say God is in control, do we mean that every aspect of life is controlled by God? When we say that do we mean that every event, every thought, every evil thing, every good thing is controlled by God? Maybe not. So, if God does not control every event, thought, good or evil thing that happens in the world...what does that say about God? Is God any less God if he chooses NOT to control everything? If we accept that God chooses not to control everything, what do we think this says about God? Might he be willing to let humans make their own decisions and act in ways they choose? Might God, then be willing to adjust his actions and timing according to what humans do? Hmm...
I do believe God is sovereign. I don't believe he is pulling strings and we are his marrionettes. I wonder if God doesn't allow free will out of his great love. I think I have learned some things about God since I became a parent. I realized how much I loved my daughter, but I did not want or even think I should micromanage her every move and thought. Somehow, I expected that she would respond to my love and learn to love me back. I respected her. I honored her. I would not ever have wanted to think I controlled her. I disciplined her, guided her, spent time with her and shared my life, my faith with her. I provided for her physical needs and as much as possible addressed her emotional and spiritual development. I did not control her. I did have expectations for her. I expected her to grow up to be a faithful person who would serve her Lord. I expected she would seek to do God's will with her life. I expected she would go to college. I expected she would possibly marry. I did not control her. Some of my expectations have been and are being met, others have not. I love her the same.
To say that God is in control probably means that he is in control to the extent that he chooses to be in control and ultimately God's kingdom goals will be met. However, I tend to believe that God chooses somehow and for some reason to work with His children to whom he has given free will. I tend to believe it has something to do with his love for his children. I tend to believe it has something to do with his sovereignty. I tend to believe I have something to look into some more!
I do believe God is sovereign. I don't believe he is pulling strings and we are his marrionettes. I wonder if God doesn't allow free will out of his great love. I think I have learned some things about God since I became a parent. I realized how much I loved my daughter, but I did not want or even think I should micromanage her every move and thought. Somehow, I expected that she would respond to my love and learn to love me back. I respected her. I honored her. I would not ever have wanted to think I controlled her. I disciplined her, guided her, spent time with her and shared my life, my faith with her. I provided for her physical needs and as much as possible addressed her emotional and spiritual development. I did not control her. I did have expectations for her. I expected her to grow up to be a faithful person who would serve her Lord. I expected she would seek to do God's will with her life. I expected she would go to college. I expected she would possibly marry. I did not control her. Some of my expectations have been and are being met, others have not. I love her the same.
To say that God is in control probably means that he is in control to the extent that he chooses to be in control and ultimately God's kingdom goals will be met. However, I tend to believe that God chooses somehow and for some reason to work with His children to whom he has given free will. I tend to believe it has something to do with his love for his children. I tend to believe it has something to do with his sovereignty. I tend to believe I have something to look into some more!
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