As if it weren't all the time. Has it changed at all? That song you sing when you think of me? I wish you were more convincing or I will I were more gullible. Hope that there's no point I'm missing. Hope that it's not just too subtle.
So, I finished reading through Jeremiah recently. As I've read through this, I often find myself trying to listen and see through the eyes of the people of Israel and Judah; through the eyes of someone who does not know God; and, of course, as a Christian. The following is a brief reflection:
Like earthly relationships, it is difficult to trust the person we love and think loves us when what this person SAYS and what they do seem to be contrasting. They seem to be forsaking you, rather than loving you.
God, unlike those he created (us) has attributes that are unchangeable- he keeps his promises and loves perfectly. He knows what is best. His plans encompass all of time, and he plans for our good. These statements are indisputable, according to the Word, which is from God. (Supplemental devotional material: "I will never leave you, nor forsake you")
However, I can see, a little, how the people of Israel and Judah might have thought that God was forsaking them. Even though they continually perverted God's name and sinned against God, their husband; taking his love and provision for granted; they thought that because of His promise to their forefathers, that God would never leave them. Though this is true, it sure seemed to them like God was leaving them. The people of Jerusalem did not trust in God- probably because their sin had caused a barrier to form in the relationship they shared with God. They no longer knew God as He is, the true God, but had built up in their hearts and minds, their own image of God. God's actions and God's words have equal strength. But they could not reconcile with what they heard and saw God doing because they thought only of one promise, and that was that they were his chosen people. They did not think of God's ways, which are higher, and his thoughts which are higher. They did not consider God's attributes- God, who was, is, and is to come. They did not listen to God's sovereign plan to prosper them... they did not heed any warnings because they were blind to their own sinfulness.
Some questions I don't necessarily have the answers to:
1. How can we know that our relationships with God are not like Israel's broken ones? That we are not blinded to our sinfulness?
2. How can we learn to act and react in our own earthly relationships-- as a bride & groom-- or potential... to communicate and act as God does?
Stop. Listen. What is God saying to you?
That's stolen from the 40 Day A Call To Die devotional.
Other notes:
Mother Theresa is so much more than most ever will know. She, however, in a few pages, can show you that she is nothing but an instrument of God, doing the work that Jesus had appointed. All the good that she did was because of Jesus. She would not have done it if it was not for Him. Her entire life was devoted to pointing people to Jesus and His redeeming work. That is humbling. And true.
-Lindsay
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