God: President & CEO
Here is a quote from one of my favorite spiritual works, "God Calling" by A.J. Russell; that helps put our relationship with the Lord in proper context. The selection is titled, "Know Your Rights",
"In every thing by prayer and supplications let your requests be made known unto God." (Philippians 4:6) But do not beg. Rather come just as a business manager bringing to the owner the needs, checks to be signed, etc., and knowing that to lay the matter before him means immediate supply.
I long to supply, but the asking-or the faith-assurance from you, is necessary, because to you that contact with me is vital." (Message for Feb 20)
I particularly love this quote because it highlights the way God wants us to come to him. As the world's greatest president and CEO God is telling us, his managers to chill out, to just make our requests known and that he will take care of the rest. But why is this so hard to accomplish? I believe that there are many reasons for this, but I think that the main reason is that we are scared of disappointment. Let's face it - every human being has been let down, betrayed, and hurt by another. So why would one expect anything different from God? Although understandable, the danger is that we have a tendency of viewing God more like a friend then the sovereign, all powerful, omniscient creator of the universe. We have lost the feeling of awe, a sense of the greatness of God. We must always remember that God is not like us, he is divine and perfect, he will not let us down if we are faithful and expectant in our requests.
This quote also teaches us to come to our heavenly father like children. (cf. Mark 10: 15). I can attest to this reality by my experiences with my two young nieces. Each time they were upset by something they would always go to their parents for relief. They didn't rely on themselves, they intuitively knew that their parents would take care of their distress. To be without their parents would be akin to death for them. What a wonderful metaphor for adults; that one can't survive without God, that the only joy and peace comes when one is rescued by the father.
Interesting point though - the passage actually confirms the saying " God helps those who help themselves" It's true: the quote basically says to prepare things on your end, set things in motion, do the next right thing as best as you can - then - hand it over to God to ........get it done, sign the checks, polish it all up, and fix it.
I admit that this notion is foreign to our American lifestyle. Our culture constantly teaches us to be self reliant, independent, strong willed, etc. While all these characteristics might be good in their proper context, they simply can't exist in a vacuum. What this quote is teaching us instead is to give up these traits and to develop a more dependent mindset. Wow what a radical concept! Being dependent on someone else? Ugh! I shudder when I think about this. But in order to grow in holiness we must all become more like children instead of meddling adults constantly trying to run our lives without the help of the heavenly CEO.
God made a wise choice to hire us as managers in the business of running our own lives. Likewise, it is up to a good manager to do a good job and to know when to bring the big issues to the attention of the owner. God will take it from there.... and it will all work out.
"In every thing by prayer and supplications let your requests be made known unto God." (Philippians 4:6) But do not beg. Rather come just as a business manager bringing to the owner the needs, checks to be signed, etc., and knowing that to lay the matter before him means immediate supply.
I long to supply, but the asking-or the faith-assurance from you, is necessary, because to you that contact with me is vital." (Message for Feb 20)
I particularly love this quote because it highlights the way God wants us to come to him. As the world's greatest president and CEO God is telling us, his managers to chill out, to just make our requests known and that he will take care of the rest. But why is this so hard to accomplish? I believe that there are many reasons for this, but I think that the main reason is that we are scared of disappointment. Let's face it - every human being has been let down, betrayed, and hurt by another. So why would one expect anything different from God? Although understandable, the danger is that we have a tendency of viewing God more like a friend then the sovereign, all powerful, omniscient creator of the universe. We have lost the feeling of awe, a sense of the greatness of God. We must always remember that God is not like us, he is divine and perfect, he will not let us down if we are faithful and expectant in our requests.
This quote also teaches us to come to our heavenly father like children. (cf. Mark 10: 15). I can attest to this reality by my experiences with my two young nieces. Each time they were upset by something they would always go to their parents for relief. They didn't rely on themselves, they intuitively knew that their parents would take care of their distress. To be without their parents would be akin to death for them. What a wonderful metaphor for adults; that one can't survive without God, that the only joy and peace comes when one is rescued by the father.
Interesting point though - the passage actually confirms the saying " God helps those who help themselves" It's true: the quote basically says to prepare things on your end, set things in motion, do the next right thing as best as you can - then - hand it over to God to ........get it done, sign the checks, polish it all up, and fix it.
I admit that this notion is foreign to our American lifestyle. Our culture constantly teaches us to be self reliant, independent, strong willed, etc. While all these characteristics might be good in their proper context, they simply can't exist in a vacuum. What this quote is teaching us instead is to give up these traits and to develop a more dependent mindset. Wow what a radical concept! Being dependent on someone else? Ugh! I shudder when I think about this. But in order to grow in holiness we must all become more like children instead of meddling adults constantly trying to run our lives without the help of the heavenly CEO.
God made a wise choice to hire us as managers in the business of running our own lives. Likewise, it is up to a good manager to do a good job and to know when to bring the big issues to the attention of the owner. God will take it from there.... and it will all work out.
Comments
Post a Comment