I thought about this post almost a month ago. I had it composed in my head – lovely words and reflections on all the wondrous notes that have recently composed the symphony of my life. But now those words will hardly do; my joys have surpassed them.
If I have learned anything in the last eight months, it is another lesson of humility in the face of a God too big and too wise for me to contain him within the confines of my human intellect. I have no right to speak rashly against him, though heaven knows I do. Over and over again I doubt. I become angry, or stubborn, or indignant. Like the people of Israel my heart raises the complaint: “My way is hidden from the Lord, and the justice due me escapes the notice of my God” (Is. 40:27). God is not threatened by my railings. He simply acts in such a way as to prove them all very foolish. He puts me to shame, vividly demonstrating his unconditional, overpowering love for me when I least deserve it - even in the midst of my complaints against him! While I have been wrestling with one of his hands, he has been quietly and diligently working all things together towards something inconceivably beautiful and good with the other. All of his ways prove to be true, and faithful, and marvelous and GOOD. The prophet Isaiah defends the boundlessness of God’s wisdom and power (40:12-15), but Israel, like me, doesn’t always get it. We both look too long at our circumstances, our present grief and pain and hardships, and we forget.
Can you measure God?
I cannot measure him. And somewhere in that immeasurable greatness, perhaps there is a perfect and sure purpose, a tide of vast love that is drawing all things to himself, to redemption, to “the best that ever could be”. Yes, I know there is. I may think God is unjust or devious, but he is not, he is more righteous and authentic than any other. I may think he is capricious, but he is the only one who does not change. I may think that he is distant, but he is ever so much nearer than I know. I can wrestle with him and wish to run from him, but in words of the old song:
My Lord is so high, you can’t get over Him,
So low, you can’t get under Him,
So wide, you can’t get around Him,
You must go in at the door.
He makes everything beautiful in its time.
So beautiful in fact, that I can do nothing but stand in awe.
“You are good and do good; Teach me Your statutes.” ~ Psalm 119:68
Corinne, I so could picture Jack, tugging on my one hand while I tried to finish something that was for his good, like packing lunch to take to the park. He wants his way in that instant, and doesn't understand why I don't just turn and go his way immediately. Thank goodness the Lord is so steadfast that He does not just give in to our childish demands!
ReplyDeleteIt is so true that we cannot see where the journey will take us. God knows our best path better than we, even if it is hard to trust when we don't like the way He seems to be taking us. Praise the Lord that he loves us so much!
By the way, I had no idea you were such a fabulous writer. Keep it up!
Well said, or I should say written, C.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your future posts.
Rich
(I really like your header image, that's a cool sketch. It evokes an idea of adventure, doesn't it?)