Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Does God Really Get ALL the glory?

Today my daughter quipped, "It just doesn't seem fair that God gets all the glory. I mean, can't we just get a little bit of it?" It sounds as though she was making a joke, but she was dead-serious. With a hidden smile on my face, I thought on that comment for a moment.

I know in my head that God gets all the glory-yes, Jules, ALL the glory. Sorry, baby girl.

However, do my actions match my head-knowledge? How many times have I acted or spoken to receive the glory due to God?

Isaiah 42:8
I am the Lord; that is my name. I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.

Revelation 5:12
In a loud voice they said,
"Worthy is the lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!"

Monday, June 21, 2010

Questions about God and Questions from God

WHO are you, Lord?

I've asked this countless times in my life, but today it resonated deeply. Deeply into my being. Often when our family is discussing aspects of God, my daughter raises the question, "But, who created God? I just don't get it!" And there the question sits. It's as if a wall erects around her heart and will receive no further instruction.

But not today.

Today we were discussing the meaning of HOLY and PRAISE, stemming from the children's weekly bible verse from church. While studying the verse, we were lead to Genesis. In Genesis, it says, "In the beginning, God created..." As we read, more questions were raised such as: "Where was Jesus when God created the earth?
Where was He before he came to earth? Was He in heaven?
How can Jesus be God's son? Isn't God Jesus' dad, not Joseph?

And then it came-"But who created God!?" So today, instead of answering in my normal way (God wasn't created, He just is.") I waited. I waited for what God would say to her.

I hesitantly started,"In Isaiah 55, it says that our ways are not God's ways and our thoughts are not God's thoughts." And then, I heard a question roll off my tongue, "Will you let God be God?" It hit me in my innermost being.

Will you let God be God?

It's what He's been asking me over and over. Will you, Angie, let me be God in your life, the only god in your life? Will you give up control? Are you okay with serving a God who who you may not fully understand? Are you okay with serving a God who may not meet your every whim?

I'd love to answer, "Yes, God. I'm totally fine with it. I trust you with my whole being." But to be honest, I don't think I always am. I like to know the answer. I like to see the big picture. To be honest, I like to have my every whim met.


So, I'm learning, right along with the children, how to trust-even when we don't understand. How to trust-even when we may not receive all the answers. And we're learning how to praise-even when we don't have the feelings to back it up. Because-He is worthy. He is holy. He is God.