We’re praying this so that you can live lives that are worthy of the Lord and pleasing to him in every way: by producing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God. – Colossians 1:10
We’re born with a limited view of God, and sometimes have difficulty growing out of it.
We default to a deity who micromanages our lives. If Someone is bigger, wiser, and more obsessive-compulsive, why not worship such a Being?
That type of God is much easier to deal with. Placate, bribe, pray: do whatever it takes to get on “His” good side. And, of course, blame “Him” when things go wrong, or yourself if you don’t think you’ve groveled enough.
Such a God is far from the God Jesus personified in the father of the Prodigal Son: hoping, yearning, waiting for a misguided son to come home.
We need to grow up and live with Jesus’ understanding of his Father.
That Parent is a collaborator instead of a micromanager. Each son and daughter has tremendous capacity for good. Compassion, justice, generosity, sacrifice. The greatest joy of God is to walk beside us as we discover how beautiful life can become when we realize such capacity in our hearts.
New occasions provide new opportunities to love in new ways. Things aren’t scripted. Scenes change, new characters appear and develop, new plots are introduced. Who knows what’s going to happen next? Neither you nor, perhaps, your Collaborator. One thing’s certain, though: The Collaborator will make sure things work out in the end. Perhaps better than hoped for, but certainly in a way that moves ahead the Kingdom at least a tiny bit.
Believing in a Micromanager opens the door for bad things to happen in the name of God.
Let’s make some good things happen.
Greg, I appreciate this very much. It made me think He was with me even when I didn’t know it. I’m glad to be more aware of it than before. Richard
It is really encouraging knowing that we really are never alone, isn’t it? Hope all is well, Richard!
As I read your email postings, I wonder if people “ponder” things any more. With all the technology it doesn’t seem likely that many do. But, each time I spend time reading your meditations and writings and then pondering and for that, I thank you.
I really appreciate your thoughtful comment, Carole. Actually, doing the meditation each week is a good discipline for me to do some pondering! Thanks for sharing.