From the outset of creation we have sought to deviate from who
God has revealed Himself to be. At times
He reveals He is the generous giver of life.
At others, He reveals He is the judge.
At others, He reveals that He is loving and forgiving. At others still
that He is healer, savior, deliverer, corrector, provider, on and on I could go. Through it all, He is in control!
I honestly want a God that I can control - thus the reason for so
many idols in the history of humanity - we want a God that we are in charge
of. Even faith at times, can be an agent
to control God. Or what about prayer -
we pray hoping that God will respond the way we want Him to.
But what if God does something totally out of the realm of our
expectation? In fact, the true follower
of God will see this side of God. Just when I think I have Him figured out, He
does something that baffles me, that I don’t agree with, that I don’t want,
that I don’t like.
Take suffering - we want it how we want it and when we want it -
which is never, unless it brings glory to our flesh. But what about God? He brings it when He deems it best for His
purposes and ends - which are way higher than my own. He is God, I am not. And thankfully, He took the form of a baby to
reveal to us the character and nature of God and to be the sacrifice for our
wretchedness!
“Forgive me Lord for seeing
you only as I want to see you and not as you truly are. I am terrified at times, and yet you call me
to trust you just the same. Help my
failing heart I pray. Help my eyes to
see you as you really are and not just the way I want you to be. In Jesus name
I pray, Amen.”
Jeff Powell
