HOW BIG IS YOUR GOD?

Saturday, June 26, 2010

I strongly believe that the way we live is a consequence of the size of our God. The problem many of us have is that our God is too small. We are not convinced that we are absolutely safe in the hands of a fully competent, all-knowing, ever-present God.

When we wake up in the morning, what happens if we live with a small God?

 We live in a constant state of fear and anxiety because everything depend on us. Our mood will be governed by our circumstances. We will live in a universe that leaves us deeply vulnerable.

We cannot be generous because our financial security depends on us.

When we need to give someone strong words of confrontation or challenge, we will be inclined to pull our punches. That is because if we don't live in the security of a big God's acceptance, we become slaves to what others think of us.

If we face the temptation to speak deceitful words to avoid pain we will probably do it. We may try to get credit for something at work that does not belong to us because we don't trust in a Big God who sees in secret and will one day give reward.

If somebody gets mad at us or disapproves, we will get all twisted up in knots---we will not have the security of knowing that a giant God is watching out for us.

When human beings shrink God, they offer prayer without faith, work without passion, service without joy, suffering without hope. It results in fear, retreat, loss of vision and failure to persevere.

(The above words are not mine. I wish they were but they are not. They are the words of John Ortberg from his marvelous book, If You Want To Walk On Water, You've Got To Get Out Of The Boat.)