Month: October 2018

As the dominant life form on earth, we tend to have a pretty high opinion of ourselves and our acomplishments. Part of this is in line with God’s plan – Genesis 1:28 tells us God said “have dominion over every living thing that moves upon the earth”. Unfortunately, we have taken that to extremes, often applying it to each other in our struggle to control virtually everything. We forget a very basic fact – it’s not ours!

God created human beings to manage the earth for Him, not turn it into a private playground for our pleasure and profit. We are caretakers, tenants; not the owners and certainly not the creator! Our technology has enabled us to do almost anything, but we forget that the skills, intelligence and every natural resource we have are gifts from God, not something we have made ourselves. There’s an old joke about a scientist having a conversation with God:

Scientist:”We have gotten to the point with our science that we can create things just like you do.”

God: “Is that so? How about a creating contest then?” (God reaches down and picks up a handful of dirt)

The scientist looks around and also grabs a handful of dirt, only to have God knock it out of his hand.

God: “Sorry, you have to go make your own dirt out of nothing the way I did!”

Sound a little farfetched? Perhaps, but we need some perspective here – without God’s blessing of creation, nothing, including us, would exist! Today, let’s give the glory to God where it belongs and not lift ourselves so high. God values the things we learn and do in His creation, but it all belongs to Him.

Loving Lord, we thank You for everything…and that means everything. Without You we have nothing and are nothing. Help us to use Your gifts wisely to make a better world for all, and to share the love You send with everyone.

In Luke 18, Jesus tells of two men praying at the temple – one a Pharisee and one a tax collector. The lesson shows us that only by humbling ourselves can we be made right with God. It sounds so simple, but we find it so hard! Why do we have such difficulty admitting we’ve done wrong?

Early in our childhood, if we spilled or broke something, when asked we likely replied “I didn’t do it!” I tried this defense even when I was an only child, as if someone had come into our house specifically to get me in trouble. When God questions Adam and Eve about their actions, they attribute blame to everyone but themselves. It seems to be a very human trait.

We are so quick to divert responsibility from ourselves, rarely able to say we are in the wrong. But in the parable, Jesus says the Pharisee who claims he is righteous does not follow the most important commandment – to love God first. Instead, it’s about how good he is, how much better he is than the tax collector standing next to him. His prayer isn’t really thanking God, it’s all about himself!

We know deep in our hearts that we can’t save ourselves, that only submission to God’s will and accepting Jesus can do that; but we still insist on having our own way. Today, let us humble ourselves and let God have dominion in our lives, showing how we can be the vessel for His love here, rather than contestants in the “better than you” game.

Gracious God, we owe everything to you. Help us to see that nothing we do is through our own strength but only due to Your abiding love.

In the summer of 2015, I was called to two

churches in far southwest Kansas. Coming from

Omaha, Nebraska, a relatively large urban center

to the rural farming and ranching community

where I live now was kind of a culture shock.

One of the biggest differences was how dark it

gets out in the country. We have streetlights in

town, but it can get pretty dark pretty quick the

farther out you get. Darkness is one of those

primal things – you can get over the childish fear

of just being in the dark, but most of us are never

truly comfortable not being able to see what’s

going on around us. Maybe it is an all too human

control thing, wanting mastery over our situation

and environment, but the darkness can often

confuse us and hide things that could potentially

harm us. Even if we’re not afraid of the dark

anymore, a healthy respect for it is certainly in

order.

The Creation story from Genesis tells us that God

spoke light into being to bring order to chaos. He

sent Jesus to be the light for all humankind, to

restore order to our world which had descended

into chaos once again due to our selfishness and

disobedience. Jesus told us that we are the light of

the world, called to bring the brightness of God’s

love to everyone, everywhere. In Acts, we see the

fire of the Holy Spirit illumine the disciples and

energize their ministry. God’s plan is for us to

work with Him, to be partners in that continuing

ministry. What a wonderful gift! What an

awesome responsibility!

Are you in a dark place? God can bring you into

His light if you call on Him. Are you ready to be

God’s light in the world? You may feel inadequate

in the face of all that requires. If so, you’re in good

company. Nearly everyone we hear God call in

scripture says they are not up to the challenge.

God provided comfort and capability for them, and

He will equip you as well!

Father of light, in You there is no darkness at all.

Help us to see that we can reflect Your light and

love in a world that is desperately seeking hope.

Show us Your plan for our lives and make us burn

brightly for You! Amen.