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Playing Games

            “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the  wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:18-19)

 

            We’ve reached the imaginary divide. By the time you read this, we’ll have crossed it. May 2024 be a year of health, hope, happiness/joy, and growth for all of us. I’ve said that my theme for the year is “When I’ve been tried, I shall come forth as gold.” But I’m starting to think that it’s the year of the devotional. Someone gave me one, and I have purchased what I suspect are two more. If nothing else, they’ll serve as fodder for this blog.

            With the new year, we want new things, but we cling to the old and we cling to our old plans that are functions of our old selves. Sometimes, this is a good thing. Sometimes, it makes us resistant to God’s direction. I know that some people claim to love change, but I wonder how often their love for change is really their love of control.

            But as I look at today’s passage, one of the ideas that comes to mind is that it’s about freedom. God is telling us to give Him the freedom to work out His will by giving ourselves the freedom to let go of the past. He doesn’t need our permission to do what He chooses to do, but our lives will be easier for us if we stop fighting Him about it. And the problem is that, as with the verses above, God doesn’t tell us exactly what His plans are. It’s closer to “I have a surprise for you. Take My hand and close your eyes…”

            The devotional spends time suggesting that we should look for God, not in the sense of “Where are You when I need You” or “Come do what I tell You” but in the sense of looking out the window of our souls to see the butterfly or playing peek-a-boo. It might seem irreverent to think of God as playing games with us, but how many parents – even those who are “important people” – are willing to play with their infants or grandchildren? If we aren’t willing to play with God, is it because we don’t want to dishonor Him – or ourselves?

 

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