When it comes to miracles, I admit I tend to be skeptical, or at least doubtful that such displays of God’s power could possibly blossom from my feeble prayers. But lately, God’s been shifting my perspective about miracles, particularly physical healing—not only through life experiences, but through His Word.
Life is full of difficult questions--especially if you don't believe in a Creator. But even if you do, and even if you are a Christian (as I am), there are still many things left to wonder about...and according to the Bible, God is okay with that, and even commends us for seeking the truth (Acts 17:11)! In Proverbs 14:15, Solomon rightly avers, "The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps." So lately I've been asking myself "Why, God?" (can anyone relate?)
First off, I know that the God of the Bible exists--there is too much evidence supporting His existence in and around me for me to possibly believe otherwise. What I have been asking is why does God love us (1 John 4:19), and what is the purpose of "love" anyways? Isn't love just an arbitrary characteristic or invention of an all-powerful God? And what if love and truth are really evil and lies, and we've all just been hardwired to perceive these things as good? Who can know if God is truly good and not a divine liar? But I keep going back to those verses that say things like "His ways are above our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9, Job 38)," and "His love is incomprehensible (Ephesians 3:17-19)," so...I know I'm just supposed to trust Him*. Why? Because I don't know everything, and am incapable of doing so. C.S. Lewis put it this way: we relate to God the way Hamlet relates to Shakespeare--He is the Writer, and we are the characters in His novel. He is the Creator, and we are His creation! (This does not mean, by the way, that He is not involved in our lives; roughly 2000 years ago He wrote Himself into His story as the God/man Jesus Christ and suffered with us and for us for Love's sake! See John 3:16.) Although God is an orderly, logical God, I cannot reach God with logic alone--some belief in mystery is essential. After all, if we understood all things, faith would be unnecessary (and anyone who seriously studies the Scriptures knows that the truth couldn't be further! See Hebrews 11:6). And I take immense comfort in the mystery. And...it makes me so relieved when I remember the answer (that that question cannot be answered!) that I always breathe a huge sigh of relief, look up, and laugh (as I am doing now). Love the logic AND the mystery, my friends! Ardently Yours, Megan
*Its hard to trust someone you don't know anything about. If you want to know more about God, you could try
1) reading the book He inspired (the Bible); Here are a few passages for you to read: Exodus 34:5-7, Psalms, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. For more verses about God's character, here is a good link to check out: http://www.openbible.info/topics/character_of_god
2) Praying (talking) to God and asking Him to reveal Himself to you.
If you are patient and sincere, I guarantee you will not be disappointed by either option.
It is so true what people say about beauty rising out of the ashes of pain. Last night, after my rocky beginnings with Day 1 of the Dreamer's Challenge, I crawled into the back of my dad's truck, threw my head back, and soaked in the awesome sight of God's stars...and the occasional plane taking off from a nearby airport. Somehow, the combination of these sights prompted me to think of the song Keith Green wrote about God's beauty, "Oh Lord, You're Beautiful."
I had a good conversation with God, and read Psalm 37 by the light of the stars, street lights, and passing cars' headlights. This psalm is especially meaningful and beautiful, I discovered, when read aloud. I have tried to read this particular psalm before without really "getting it," but last night was different. It was as if I had never read it before. I especially love verses 3-4 and 34-40, but the whole piece is both delicious and rejuvenating.
The Psalm begins by declaring, "Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart," and ends on a similar note, " But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him."
We are not only blessed, but SAVED by God for trusting in Him! Trust must be pretty important to God, huh? What separated many of the heroes of the Bible from the people that lived around them in their time was not their own holiness--some of them were drunks, liars, hypocrites, and cowards--but instead was the trust that they had in God. Sure, they had their doubts at times--many times, in fact--but for some of the time, they trusted God, and it was during those times that God moved them the most.
I guess the theme of the day must be Keith Green, because I've got another song for you called "He'll Take Care of the Rest" that relates beautifully to this topic:
After spending some time with God, I slipped back into my house and plopped onto a couch next to two of my younger brothers, twins. They were watching the movie Eight Below with my dad. Not wanting to watch TV or leave their company, I ultimately chose to sit at a nearby table and draw illustrations for a possible future installment story idea of mine (HINT HINT). I prayed a short prayer before crawling into bed, and slept soundly.
I only remember having one dream, and the details I remember are vague: something exciting was going on, possibly a wedding, and I wrote "I love something" on my arm. I still don't remember what that "something" was, but the dream was bright, clean, refreshing--not nightmarish. I feel that God has blessed me for going to Him first. Psalm 4, the verse that was so ironic to my sleep experience two nights ago, now echoes the peace I experienced last night.
God's mercies really ARE new each day; praise the LORD!
Wow, I can't believe its 2012! It seems like just yesterday I was clinking champagne cups full of apple cider with friends and family, declaring, "Happy 2011!" and toasting the New Year. The ball dropped in New York City, the stars twinkled overhead outside. The stars are still twinkling, but now it is 2012.
I wonder what this year will be like; what difficult circumstances will I be faced with? What beautiful moments will I experience?
Every year millions of people make crazy New Year's resolutions, and I, a teenage girl, am no exception. My past goals for the year have ranged from writing bestselling novels to mastering my nonexistent gymnast's split to flying out of state to see obscure concerts. All of these so-called "resolutions" have been unsuccessful for me thus far, but still I hope for future success. Last year my goal was to earn my driver's licence (my learner's permit is on the verge of expiring), but my hopes were in vain. I have yet to drive myself anywhere without getting "white-knuckle syndrome" on the steering wheel or basically having a mini meltdown in the driver's seat, my distraught mom sweating bullets in the passenger's seat beside me (I am sure sitting in an electric chair would be more comfortable for her at moments like these). Yep, people make resolutions, but resolutions don't come with "money back guarantees" (unless they are treadmills), and they certainly don't promise certain success.
But for the past few years now, I have set different types of goals for myself on New Year's Eve, something like a New Year's resolution, but deeper. I write a small list of "hopes" on the top of my January calendar page, things I hope God will show me, ways I hope to grow spiritually. It is like a written prayer--and, so far, God has answered me every year without fail. Last year I prayed that I could draw closer to God, and that I could get along better with my younger siblings. Not only did God reveal more of Himself and His mysterious grace to me last year, He allowed me the opportunity to grow closer to my brothers.
It is not as if God takes New Year's Eve prayers more seriously than others...I think that it is just me who makes them special. Really, I think God wants all of our prayers to feel special, because they are. That we can converse with the Awesome Creator of the Universe seems like a total miracle to my limited, finite, human brain! Another flabbergasting notion: God wants us to come to Him with our hearts desires. In Jeremiah 11:9-12 Jesus says,
"...Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
This is not to say that God will answer every question immediately or even in the affirmative. Jesus gives us an example of a child asking his father for something that is clearly good for him to have. If the child had asked for a snake, it would have been irresponsible of the father to grant him his desire! if God's answer to our prayers is "No" or "Wait" we just have to trust Him and know that He knows what He's doing. His ways are far above our ways!
So what is it this year that is weighing on your heart? Are you struggling with an addiction? A family problem? Maybe your heart's desire is marriage, but that special someone does not seem to be coming along as quickly as you would like. My suggestion? Pray, and wait on the Lord. This answer may seem trite, but it is so true. My heart's prayer for this year is found in Lamentations 3:22-24:
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is [God's] faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."
Sometimes God is slow to answer because He wants us to trust Him regardless of our life circumstances. When a person loves another person, they learn to trust that individual. God wants to have a love relationship with each and every one of us. In order for that to happen, it is essential that we learn to trust God in every aspect of our lives.
If God wants you to have the desires of your heart (and if your heart is aligned with His, He most likely will), He will take care of it for you. in Jeremiah 29:11 God assures His people, "...I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." My 2012 New Year's resolution? To pray more, and trust God with all of my hopes and my future. If I slip up and fall on my butt (which will most likely happen a few times), I am not going to say, "Oh well, better luck next year;" instead I am going to get right back onto my feet and declare a New Day's resolution! I am tired of trying to hash life out on my own. I am fed up with living for transient worldly pleasures. This year, I am going to strive to serve God with my whole heart, and in the process, change the world around me. And who knows? Maybe I'll finally master that gymnast's split this year after all!
