Thursday, October 04, 2007
The other day I looked out the front window and saw my older son (Andy) mowing the lawn. He does this regularly, since it became clear that he does a much better job than I do. (At least, that’s what I want him to think.)
Since Tim’s recent series of parable sermons, I’ve come to believe that almost everything God asks or requires of us is about US. Perhaps, more accurately, it’s about His LOVE for us.
Listen to or read the ‘Parable’ sermons here:
http://evcsj.com/resources.shtml#sermons
This assertion may seem to fly in the face of our “Commission” concept, but I don’t think there’s any inconsistency. God works His will in our lives to make US more like HIM. He does not need us to accomplish any part of his will, complete any deed, or fight any battle. No mission field will suffer without us, no soul be lost without our unique contribution. As John Milton said,
“…God doth not need
Either man's work or his own gifts: who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed
And post o'er land and ocean without rest…“
God’s will is, literally, His will, and He will accomplish it. We have absolutely nothing God needs – no talent, will, desire, money, understanding or gift He cannot easily replace or do without. To the contrary, He allows us to be used by Him just as we are today - wracked by weakness, sin and imperfection. He permits us to be imperfect servants because He wants to help us be more like Him, because He knows that’s exactly what will make us purer, better, happier, healthier, holier.
We can’t take any credit for any “accomplishment” (for which we are not qualified nor particularly suited), but we do take blessing from it. We seem to believe we're helping God, helping the situation, helping sinners, helping others. We feel important, as if we’ve done something for God, as if we’ve advanced the cause of Christ because of our own effort, our dedication, determination, our purity of heart, our kindness or mercy. Little bits of that may be true, but in fact, it's God helping US, improving US, teaching US, molding US, giving US the chance – in our imperfection – to become more like Him. The service to Him is itself the miracle God creates from our brokenness and submission.
OK – so here’s the lawn-mowing connection….
This idea is like the little child trying to help their parent. We’ve all seen (and experienced) our little ones offering to help. Andy (my lawn-mowing son), at about 3 years old, would ask to walk in front of me and hold the lower bar on the lawnmower as I mowed. He loved it. He would smile and lean into it, working hard. He would occasionally turn his sandy-haired head around and smile or offer some suggestion about what to do next. When the lawn was finished, he would step back, view all that ‘he’ had accomplished and congratulate himself.
I love and cherish those memories, but I certainly did not NEED his help at the time. In fact, with his help the job took LONGER. He did not do a good job - could not have done any of it without me there behind him, guiding, watching, protecting. But I love him, and wanted him to learn that skill, to spend time with me, to learn the value of work. Sure, it would have been easier without him there, but my love for him was more important than getting the lawn mowed. I could do that anytime.
That’s the way it is with the things God allows us to do for Him. He lets us “help” accomplish His will – and His will is that we should be more like Him, that each of us would come to know and be more like Him.
Don’t miss your chance to be more like God. He doesn’t expect you to be perfect or brilliant or highly-trained or uniquely skilled. He just wants you to give Him yourself – just as you are. You’ll get back so much more.
David Wright
Since Tim’s recent series of parable sermons, I’ve come to believe that almost everything God asks or requires of us is about US. Perhaps, more accurately, it’s about His LOVE for us.
Listen to or read the ‘Parable’ sermons here:
http://evcsj.com/resources.shtml#sermons
This assertion may seem to fly in the face of our “Commission” concept, but I don’t think there’s any inconsistency. God works His will in our lives to make US more like HIM. He does not need us to accomplish any part of his will, complete any deed, or fight any battle. No mission field will suffer without us, no soul be lost without our unique contribution. As John Milton said,
“…God doth not need
Either man's work or his own gifts: who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed
And post o'er land and ocean without rest…“
God’s will is, literally, His will, and He will accomplish it. We have absolutely nothing God needs – no talent, will, desire, money, understanding or gift He cannot easily replace or do without. To the contrary, He allows us to be used by Him just as we are today - wracked by weakness, sin and imperfection. He permits us to be imperfect servants because He wants to help us be more like Him, because He knows that’s exactly what will make us purer, better, happier, healthier, holier.
We can’t take any credit for any “accomplishment” (for which we are not qualified nor particularly suited), but we do take blessing from it. We seem to believe we're helping God, helping the situation, helping sinners, helping others. We feel important, as if we’ve done something for God, as if we’ve advanced the cause of Christ because of our own effort, our dedication, determination, our purity of heart, our kindness or mercy. Little bits of that may be true, but in fact, it's God helping US, improving US, teaching US, molding US, giving US the chance – in our imperfection – to become more like Him. The service to Him is itself the miracle God creates from our brokenness and submission.
OK – so here’s the lawn-mowing connection….
This idea is like the little child trying to help their parent. We’ve all seen (and experienced) our little ones offering to help. Andy (my lawn-mowing son), at about 3 years old, would ask to walk in front of me and hold the lower bar on the lawnmower as I mowed. He loved it. He would smile and lean into it, working hard. He would occasionally turn his sandy-haired head around and smile or offer some suggestion about what to do next. When the lawn was finished, he would step back, view all that ‘he’ had accomplished and congratulate himself.
I love and cherish those memories, but I certainly did not NEED his help at the time. In fact, with his help the job took LONGER. He did not do a good job - could not have done any of it without me there behind him, guiding, watching, protecting. But I love him, and wanted him to learn that skill, to spend time with me, to learn the value of work. Sure, it would have been easier without him there, but my love for him was more important than getting the lawn mowed. I could do that anytime.
That’s the way it is with the things God allows us to do for Him. He lets us “help” accomplish His will – and His will is that we should be more like Him, that each of us would come to know and be more like Him.
Don’t miss your chance to be more like God. He doesn’t expect you to be perfect or brilliant or highly-trained or uniquely skilled. He just wants you to give Him yourself – just as you are. You’ll get back so much more.
David Wright
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