How often have you and I viewed celebrating the Christmas story with a half hearted attitude. The schedule nightmare of activities and expenses complicate a thoughtful meditation toward Christ’s birth. Joseph had a lot to consider in his commitment to Mary. Similar worries and anxieties surround our lives as we develop a deeper awareness of what it means to be all in with our decision to follow Christ. But seeking His kingdom and His righteousness often require an all out life, with no hesitation. Our decision is met uplifted with the grace we need to be and do our best.
God wants us to choose to love him freely, even when that choice involves pain, because we are committed to him, not to our own good feelings and rewards. He wants us to cleave to him, as Job did, even when we have every reason to deny him hotly. That, I believe, is the central message of Job. Satan had taunted God with the accusation that humans are not truly free. Was Job being faithful simply because God had allowed him a prosperous life? Job's fiery trials proved the answer beyond doubt. Job clung to God's justice when he was the best example in history of God's apparent injustice. He did not seek the Giver because of his gifts; when all gifts were removed he still sought the Giver.
Philip Yancey, Where Is God When It Hurts?
No comments:
Post a Comment