Deep Thoughts

Well maybe not so deep but interesting to me and maybe to someone else so I'll share.

Today was officially Day 1 of the Radical Experiment read through the Bible portion. Today's passage was Gen. 1 and 2. Now I've read the creation story probably hundreds of times but I've never noticed a particular section of Gen. 1, verses 11 and 12. In it, Moses is outlining the creation of the plants. And he was specific about seed bearing plants. He didn't just say plants, he said seed-bearing and he said it a couple of times. It struck me this morning that this little piece of Scripture is so evident of God and His providence. He KNEW reproduction of plants would be necessary and animals to eat those plants hadn't been created yet. God foreknew and His plan built reproduction into the creation plans. How awesome is it that the God we serve cared enough about His creation that He made those plans ahead of time? And I forget time and time again that the same God who took care of plant reproduction before it was necessary cares more for me! Lord, forgive my unbelief.

Then later I found a quote in a new devotional book I'm reading (thanks Mom!). It said we cannot fool God by going through the motions of giving. That really hit me. There have been lots of times I've given God less than my best or begrudingly gave my tithe or didn't give at all because I needed the money more. Talk about conviction. I think this whole concept applies to way more than just monetary giving though. How often have I given less than my best at work or at school or in a friend relationship. I was too tired, the task was beneath me, etc., etc., etc. God doesn't want our excuses - He wants our best. Sure we'll fail but our goal should always be our best because ultimately what we do is supposed to be for His glory.

To top all that off, I am reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan. Now, if you don't want to be convicted, leave this book off your reading list. But, if you want to be blown away by how awesome our Creator is, go to Amazon, buy it (or download it on iTunes), and begin reading. Just be warned, it is slow going. Not slow like Tozer where every sentence is heavy and hard to understand, just slow because you'll want to ruminate over passages. This afternoon's 3.5 pages (seriously, only 3.5) were no exception. Look up Phil 4:4. Go ahead, I'll wait...it's a command to rejoice in the Lord always - it's a command - not a suggestion. Then verse 6, do not be anxious about anything. What Chan says next is what really got me thinking..."when I am consumed by my problems - stressed out about my life, my family and my job - I actually convey the belief that I think the circumstances are more important than God's command to always rejoice." Oops, Houston, we have a problem...

Then Chan goes on to say that worry implies we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives and stress says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace toward others, or our tight grip of control. He finishes out the section reminding the reader that the story isn't about us at all, God is the center of the story. This is really a hard concept for me to wrap my head around because I am an A #1 control-freak. I freely admit that I fall short all the time in letting go and letting God. When I put that passage together with the creation story from this morning, I can't help but marvel at God. In His sovereignty, He knew I needed to hear a reminder about His providence and His being in control and He gave it to me today in two totally different ways. Taken alone, each are amazing displays of God's unique position in my life. Taken together, they are seen as absolute writing in the sky that He is reminding me he's got everything under control.

Reminds me of a cheesy quote that is quite appropriate...I don't know what tomorrow may hold but I know who holds tomorrow.