Skip to main content

"Fluffy Cows" and God

             Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

What is your emotional impression of a tiger, an American bison, a great white shark, or even a skunk? I know some people think they can approach wild animals and take a selfie, only to end up shocked when they wake up in a hospital. In a similar vein, what’s your emotional perception of corporate, political, or social leaders (like celebrities)? Again, you’re likely to be more profoundly aware of their power if they use it against you. But if we approach the subject wisely and deal with reality, doesn’t the animal or person in question deserve respect based on what they can do (either positively or negatively) and not solely on our experience of being gored, bitten, clawed, kicked, sprayed, or bullied? And would it not be wise to learn from what has happened to us or to others in the past, rather than repeatedly subject ourselves to their reaction to our foolishness?

Today’s passage seems to fit this pattern. It doesn’t tell us to glorify God because He’s done something glorious in the past ten seconds, and we feel awe. It’s not about getting a selfie with God. It’s about recognizing what God can do, and showing appropriate respect rather than getting ourselves gored, bitten, clawed, kicked, sprayed or bullied before we even consider being a little cautious in our approach.

As we pray about seeking His face, this is a good word of warning. God is “not a tame Lion” any more than a fluffy cow, a cute little bear, or a gangly deer at Yellowstone is a photo opportunity. That being said, God is wiser than the animals and people mentioned.  Scripture shows that He tolerates and even enjoys a little audacity from us. He wants us to show the courage to approach Him, as long as we do it with respect for what He can do. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Saved?

  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:28-30) “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ ” (Matthew 7:21-23) Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.” (Romans 3:4)   What conclusion do you draw when someone who was raised in a Christian family and church, perhaps even playing a significant role in a chur...
Post a Comment
Read more

Meditations of the Heart

  May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm19:14)           As I started writing this post, I noted that the meditations of my heart are all over the mental landscape, from a hub where eight superhighways come together to a lunar or nuclear landscape. Do you see my error? The moment I read the word meditation , I think about thoughts. But what’s described here is the meditations of our hearts ; our wills.           While the meditations of our minds may be all over the place, the meditations of our wills tend to be a little more stable by the time we are adults. We no longer tend to want to pursue the ten separate careers we did in any given day as children. Part of this is humble acceptance of reality. We come to understand that we can’t do it all. I think another part of it is disappointmen...
Post a Comment
Read more

Listen To Him

              The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him . (Deuteronomy 18:15)           Today, we switch from Jesus’ claims of “I am” to prophecies made about Him. My Bible platform is starting in Deuteronomy. I’d start in Genesis, where we would learn that the one who would save us would be a descendant of Eve (Genesis 3:15), of Noah (by default), Abram and Sara(Genesis 12:1-3). Isaac (Genesis 17:19), Jacob (Genesis 25:23), Judah (Genesis 29:8), and David (II Samuel 7:12-16). There were also references to a new covenant (Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:22-32). In addition, there were prophecies about when and where the prophet/Messiah would be born and what would happen to him.           Of course, naysayers will claim that Jesus’ life was retrofitted or reverse enginee...
Post a Comment
Read more