There is this great disconnect that happens in my life. I
know that God is bigger than the Universe and has existed since before you could say "existed since." Thinking about reality before time, makes my head hurt, but I get the point. But here is the disconnect - I act as if those things are not true at all. I try to solve my own problems. I believe my plans are the best plans - always (just ask Grace about that). I get frustrated when I can't see and control everything around me. In other words, I act as if I am God and ignore the real one. And yet my theological answers are all correct...
As I prepared this week's sermon, I have been meditating on the line, "In him (God) we live and move and have our being." Its such a great line - Paul thought so, so he borrowed it from a 6th century BC poet. But back to the line itself - what does it look like to live in God, to move within Him and his ways, to not exist except as it relates to him? What would that life be like for you?
* you can reply to this post (even if you want to deal with something from the sermon that isn't mentioned here.)
You made my head hurt on Sunday (that is a compliment!). My job is to help people plan for their future, at least the financial part. But, the "future" we are planning for is such a small part of God's timeline. I've been asking myself for years how my role with my clients and their money squares with my faith... but this concept of immortality starts to make me wonder why we bother planning at all. It highlights the disconnect you mention.
ReplyDeleteIs it that we are attempting to supplant God's plans with our own? Or is it part of God's plan that we take responsibility for some of the day-to-day things (like saving for our kid's college, for example)?
Sorry it took me all week to reply - I didn't see the comment til today. I'll get better about using this blog. Nice questions.
ReplyDeleteLet me take a stab at an answer. Even though this life is just a blink of time on the continuum of eternity, its still a blink. These days (months and years) are part of your eternity, so they deserve attention. My question to you would be "why would someone want to make this plan with their money?" Like, "why would dad X want to save for his daughter's college education?"
The answer, "so she can be rich and self sufficient" really isn't a great answer.
The answer, "so she can use her mind and talents to make a difference in our world" is a much better answer.
The answer, "so she can develop her mind and talents to serve God and people throughout her life." is an even better answer.
Even in just regular financial planning, the person who says "I want to be financially secure in my retirement" may either be thinking about sitting in a recliner for 30 years or the possibility to use more and more of their time to serve the church or to mentor younger men and women.
Does this help.