Wednesday, October 31, 2012

A Creature's Decision

Life would be easier if we had the complete wisdom and counsel of God in order to make the perfect decisions. It would also be nice if we had the sovereign power of God to keep our plans from failing. However, that is not our place as finite creatures. Because of our limits, the Christian life in regard to decision-making is much more difficult than most people think. This is because we often lack the foreknowledge and understanding necessary for making wise decisions. 

However, with a right understanding of our own weakness and an acceptance of our finite creaturliness, we are set free. We are free from the weighty obligation of having to possess the perfect understanding of our decisions. We are free from the burden of knowing exactly where our decisions will lead and in-errantly anticipating every result. In short, we are free from the obligation of trying to function as God in our own lives. We are free to be creatures when God is God. In this state, we don't have the burden of discovering knowledge or possessing full wisdom. Rather we are free to ask for and to receive the wisdom that we need from God's own hand and not ours. 

Thus, only as beggars are we filled and made complete. God is extremely gracious in giving us the wisdom that we need in the moment that we need it. Take comfort in knowing that God understands your path even when you don't. Don't spend all your time worrying about whether you made the right decision or not, God is in control and the decision is already made. Lose the reigns and let God take over. Surrender the lead to God and enjoy the dance. 

Decision making is a huge burden for the creature trying to replace God, but is a pleasure and an honor for the creature that acknowledges their own weakness, looks up to God with empty hands, and with child-like faith simply says, "please."

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Trading Innocence

There was a time of honest innocence
Where life was fine, my God was near
But then I got this wicked notion
To trade my innocence and lose my ignorance

I could not accept who God had made me
It's often difficult to be a creature
So I reached out and took from that tree
The fruit of knowledge, oh curiosity!

Here I stand in a garden full of trees
I hold in my hand, the only fruit not for me
Oh dear God, when will I see?
True strength embraces innocence; that's humility