018: A GREAT God

March 5, 2010
1 Corinthians 1:1-9

It’s a beautiful spring day here in the NW (and by beautiful I mean dry), and I walked up to my neighbor’s house for a catch-up chat. There’s something so lovely about picking fresh daffodils to give someone on a fresh, clean morning when you’re going to hang out with people who don’t care that you’re in your workout clothes with no makeup on. The apple I was eating for my breakfast was crunchy and delicious, and it was like all my senses were being caressed – the melody of birds singing their hearts out in my ears, the smell of spring in the air, the taste of sweet, juicy fruit in my mouth, and bright, cheerful, happy yellow flowers along the way. It was absolutely refreshing.

But even more refreshing was the conversation. My neighbor, Jody, has grandkids that are 15 years older than me, but that has never stopped us from being friends. She and her husband Don have been friends of my family for 60+ years. I’ve travelled through Spain and England with her son’s family, and her grandson, Erik, is one of my guy-buddies-brothers that I try to boss around and get dealt reality from (“Dani, that shirt is really kind of ugly. Just so you know.”).

I admire Jody and Don a lot. They have loved and served Jesus faithfully for many, many years. They don’t have much by the world’s standards, – Don was a logger until he retired, pasturing little fledgling churches all over the NW in addition to chopping down trees – but they are rich in wisdom, experience, and the lessons learned through heartache.

Jody looked me square in the eyes over a tall glass of water in her fun blue glasses this morning and said, “How are you doing, little missy?” and I love the fact that I was free to express exactly where I’m at, what’s going on in my life and in my heart, and let someone see the massive imperfections that mar my soul. Jody, once again, listened patiently, and then reminded me that I needed to be in the Word and listening to what God is speaking to me, reassuring me that He has given me everything I need to live a life of victory in Him.

I walked home after Jody asked if she could pray with me – how often would I encourage people if I just ASKED if I could pray with them?! – and crawled onto my fluffy white down comforter with my Bible and pen and got through the first 9 verses of 1 Corinthians. And then I had to go back and reread them about 20 times.

I love that my God does not depend on me to keep the promises He makes. He makes promises because HE is faithful and HE will keep them. And yes, I have responsibilities and work to do while I live this life – such as keeping my focus on Him and aligning my life and priorities with HIS priorities – but Paul promises the Corinthian church that they have all the spiritual gifts and equipping they need to do what God appoints for them to do, and that HE will help them accomplish the tasks He has planned for them. Why would I think it would be any different for me? Has the character of God changed? Is His overall purpose – His own honor and glory – different now than it was then? If He wants me to bring Him honor and glory, He also knows my complete lack of ability to do that without His help. And because HE is faithful to keep his promises, He’ll not leave me out in the cold without His assistance. What a good God!