Meet Thea. All around energizer bunny. At least when I first met her she was. Marriage and motherhood have tempered her and smoothened her sharp edges. She is smart, witty and incredibly articulate. She is guest blogging for me this week. Let her know how much you appreciate her words.
"It's funny how I am always surprised by the goodness of God in every situation even though He is ALWAYS that way...He never changes... and He has never failed to be good in any situation I have faced, yet, I am still surprised every time."
I wrote this phrase in my journal last week after sending out a praise report about a miracle during my pregnancy…let me just say…I was praying for a miracle, but I didn’t truly expect one. That left me reflecting - If I really believe God is good, why does it surprise me when I'm the recipient of His goodness? It isn't because I don't expect Him to be good... I know with 100% certainty that He is good. When I’m honest with myself, I find that it's more because I don’t feel deserving of His goodness. Of course, I don't deserve any part of what He offers me every day...but still...Why does He do it? What is it that gives me favor with him even when I have royally screwed up and have broken His heart?
If you pause to consider Him for a moment… He is God... His hand spans the breadth of the universe. So, in the grand scheme of creation, what about me touches His heart?? For that matter what is it about YOU?? The fact that He is so interested in His creation perplexes me and drives me to want to understand Him. He wants to reveal Himself…to me?? Whether you like Oprah or think she’s nuts, I bet if she invited you to lunch, you’d be curious enough to show up, wouldn’t you? I mean come on, it’s Oprah – why would she be interested in you!? Yet, we tend to casually view God's interest in us as some how deserved and, well, irrelevant.
I don't want to know God just because I NEED Him and believe me - I NEED HIM!!! Come over to my house mid-day: The pot pourri of diapers, unwashed hair, and toys strewn about the house will prove it to you! Other people's opinions of who He is don't satisfy my curiosity or my desire to know Him. I need to know for myself. It’s such a different perspective on what we are usually told…to read your Bible, pray every day and you’ll “grow, grow, grow” – great principle behind the song but – the song is about you, isn’t it?? I don’t want it to be about me…when it is...things get foggy. I am intrigued… why is the God of Heaven, Earth and everything beyond interested in me...really?
If you pause to consider Him for a moment… He is God... His hand spans the breadth of the universe. So, in the grand scheme of creation, what about me touches His heart?? For that matter what is it about YOU?? The fact that He is so interested in His creation perplexes me and drives me to want to understand Him. He wants to reveal Himself…to me?? Whether you like Oprah or think she’s nuts, I bet if she invited you to lunch, you’d be curious enough to show up, wouldn’t you? I mean come on, it’s Oprah – why would she be interested in you!? Yet, we tend to casually view God's interest in us as some how deserved and, well, irrelevant.
I don't want to know God just because I NEED Him and believe me - I NEED HIM!!! Come over to my house mid-day: The pot pourri of diapers, unwashed hair, and toys strewn about the house will prove it to you! Other people's opinions of who He is don't satisfy my curiosity or my desire to know Him. I need to know for myself. It’s such a different perspective on what we are usually told…to read your Bible, pray every day and you’ll “grow, grow, grow” – great principle behind the song but – the song is about you, isn’t it?? I don’t want it to be about me…when it is...things get foggy. I am intrigued… why is the God of Heaven, Earth and everything beyond interested in me...really?
6 comments:
Thea,
I know you're guest blogging for me but I couldn't resist pointing out that your post got me thinking about a video I saw years ago that highlighted the "Me" church and spoofed the song "Lord I lift your name on high" and made it "Lord I lift MY name on high."
Haha I remember that video! We joked about it all the way home...and then I secretly thought about it later.
Thea,
I wish I had a valuable contribution to make in response to that question, but, honestly, it's one that completely nukes my brain too! Let me know if you ever figure it out. In the mean time, I'll echo the words of an old Andre Crouch song (at the risk of dating myself!): "I don't know why He sacrificed His life...but I'm glad, I'm glad He did."
Agreed...they're more questions to ask yourself...good stuff to ponder :)
I remember Andre Crouch and I'm only 27 so no worries on dating yourself!
I think you hit the nail on the head. We don't expect because we know we don't deserve and we can't get it through our heads that He still wants to provide anyway.
Hope - so ...maybe not expecting isn't a bad thing after all, huh? :) Great point...sometimes I need a reminder to temper that with knowing that God never changes, even when we do and for that I am so glad.
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