Here is the revelation that is shaping my life today- I so often ridiculously make demands of God that are not my place to do so. I lose my place.
Romans 11:33-36 NLT
[33] Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! [34] For who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? [35] And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back? [36] For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.
Observation
How often do I give God advice, sometimes I give Him clear direction. I dictate what I want, I complain about what I get, I ridiculously think that I can control God. I say “why have you done this, why have you allowed this to happen to me?” I demand explanations for life’s circumstances as if I have the capacity of comprehension as to how the randomness and interconnectedness of the universe works. I demand to understand and then offer my advice. Yet the reality is – “How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!” I am ridiculous.
I say to God “I have done good (I even have a list) and then demand that that goodness be rewarded by an easy abundant life. And then I interpret what an easy and abundant life looks like as if I know. It seems like I treat God as my debtor as I live from the worlds systems of earn and deserve. God owes me seems to be a predominant story within His church. And when life is not as I imagined then I bring out my wisdom and bring out my goodness and give my direction and make my demands, and I do not see how absurd this is. I am ridiculous.
“Everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory.” Here is the truth. He is the only one who can interpret the events of life. He is not the author of all events, but the entirety of creation comes from Him and exists by Him, He understands how it works. And ultimately it is His glory not my determined ‘easy and abundant’ life that it exists for. I have overstepped my place too often in my directing and complaining. I have made it about me, my glory, refused to be the worshipper and server. I am ridiculous.
When I lose my place I lose the blessing of my place. When I stop being the worshipper I lose all the joy of being His beloved son who worships Him. Ultimately when I lose my place I take a place that is so far beyond me, beyond my understanding and capacity. It’s like I take the place on the field to play NRL first grade rather than my seat on the couch, it’s only going to end ugly. I am ridiculous.
Application
I will stay in my place. I will hold my advice and my demands and bring my worship. I will live in the blessing of my God being the one who knows all things and I will take my place of trust and live in the blessing of this place, the place I was created for. I will put my good work’s trading to the side and receive the fullness of His freely given blessings. I will live for His glory.
Response
Thank you that you invite me into a place and position that I have capacity for. Thank you that you remind me of my place and who you are. I am sorry for all the times I take your place, thanks for being so generous in your forgiveness and patience. All glory to you forever.
Meditation
Meditation truth – his ways are beyond my understanding.
Consider:
How often do I make demands and question God for answers that I cannot comprehend?
Do I bring my good works and make demands of rewards?
JOURNEY DEEPER
