“Because God is all-powerful, He can help me with anything.”–Bill Bright
Omnipotence: philosophers and mystics have debated for centuries about the extent and the expanse of God’s power over the universe. However, such lofty speaking is long overdue for a dose of the back of God’s all-reaching hand! If ever someone feels proud of their accomplishments or success, I would suggest that they peruse Job 38-42 before they speak again. It is somewhat hard to be haughty and self-important after the tongue-lashing that the Lord Almighty gives us in this passage. “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?” (Job 38:2)
Now I’m not saying that we should not be proud of the gifts and opportunities God has given us. Instead I think we should view all that we have as not really ours to be proud of. Americans are known worldwide as having a very narrow view of the world, of thinking that everyone has a TV, a VCR, and an SUV. I often wonder if the Lord in his foreknowledge wrote so many passages in the Bible about humility just for us!
Also, we don’t need to go around our lives wailing and mourning in false contrition. So many Christians these days live in guilt for being successful or well-off. They don’t want to speak out or do anything noticable for fear that people will talk about their “nerve”. They don’t want to drop the big check into the offering plate for fear of “showing off”. Second Corinthians 8 teaches the lesson that some are giuven much so that they can then give much. Some are given vacation time and retirement and summer break so that they can go and do. Some are given light class schedules so that they can serve and share.
Stop being afraid! Stop it right now!! Stop worrying about what people think and do God’s Will, this summer and next year. This is a hard lesson, even for me, and I am struggling with myself on this issue as well. But I am “being confident in this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phillipians 1:6) We who are young often look for the approval of others and of society. We think that being unpopular is the end of the world. To that, I say, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the sea, though the waters roar and foam and the mountains quake at their surging, we will not fear.” (Psalm 46:1-3)
