Let God Be God
I am always complaining and criticizing the world because it appears to be so vile, wretched, unrighteous, sinful, mean, and a host of qualities that do not appear to be helpful to us. How did we get to be like this? Surely it wasn’t God’s plan for us to be so ungodly. I am speaking as though I know the mind and ways of God. That is my first big mistake. God knew what He was doing when He created the world. He also knew in the beginning how things would turn out in the end. So why am I casting all this disparagement upon the world? I am not God nor would I even desire to be. Too much responsibility! That being the case, why don’t I let God be God and I should be okay with just being one of the many He made.
I was driving down the street early one morning watching people and things go by me. I saw cars coming towards me going in the opposite direction. I saw a few people walking about, some sitting at a bus stop. Probably none of them will ever appear to me again during the rest of my mortal life. Yet I wonder about them. Why are they here in this life with me? Are they having the same sort of experiences that I am? I’m as much a part of their world as they are of mine. It was the same Lord that determined the venues of our births. There are so many of us who are complete strangers, yet we share something between us because we are here at this particular time and space. What does it all mean? Does anyone think of such things? Why am I even having such thoughts?
Even if I wanted to worry about the state of the world what could I do to make a dent? I am just a passing nobody passing by not even a glimpse of the strangers I might only see once in my lifetime. Does that make them insignificant to me? Would my world be different if they were not here? Would their world be different if I were not here? Obviously so because we are here right now in this time and space the Lord made. Without each of us in this time and space, the world could go on without us, but it would be different because we make the composition of what’s here right now. Do I feel significant? No! Should I care? Perhaps! What does my Lord think about all this stuff that is churning in my mind? Where are these thoughts even coming from?
Perhaps being awakened is not such a nice thing? When you see things and it makes you feel or care that could be painful. I see homeless people with nothing. I have plenty and yet complain about what I don’t have. Are we ever satisfied? I think not! I’m reminded of what the great King Solomon wrote in the book of Ecclesiastics. He concluded it was all meaningless. Here is a sample of what he wrote in the first chapter.
“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun? One generation passes away, and another generation comes, But the earth abides forever. The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it arose. The wind goes toward the south and turns around to the north; The wind whirls about continually and comes again on its circuit. All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; To the place from which the rivers come, they return again. All things are full of labor; Man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
It sounds like I am having one of those moments like King Solomon. He continued to write:
“That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which it may be said, “See, this is new?” It has already been in ancient times before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come by those who come after.”
What am I to make of all this? The only thing that comes to mind is to let God be God and let me be fine with being all He made in me. Vanity, just vanities!
O dear Lord, make me lay down in still waters and restore my soul. Let me find peace and rest in You. For You alone are God. I only wish to be Your servant. It’s not my task to play nor to be God. He alone has that responsibility. Instead, I will pray for those who are suffering due to anything. Give them this day their daily needs. Lead them away from the powers of evil and protect them under Your divine wings of love. I ask this in the mighty and majestic name of our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus… To almighty God be the glory…Selah!