Words of Worth

Google It!

January 24, 2014

UnknownCatchphrases – we all use them.  It’s interesting to me how certain terms or descriptions we casually throw around every day, sometimes include “words” that weren’t even words a few years.  The most used phrase in my house and maybe one of the most dangerous?  “Google it!”

With a touch, a swipe or a few keystrokes we can find answers to any question we have these days.  In addition, there’s usually an instructional video attached.  I watched a guy online install a new thermostat in his house yesterday in less than three minutes.   Fascinating, right?  But herein lies a subtle danger:  Have we become so accustomed to instant gratification with extra helps like video “how-to’s” that we also expect it of God?

As we continue to study how to FOCUS on God, today’s letter is “U”.  U stands for “Understand His Word and His Will”.  Scripture is crystal clear about understanding God through His Word – it’s tried and true and accessible to anyone who is seeking Him.

Psalm 119:130  “The unfolding of Your Word gives light.  It gives understanding to the simple.”  (I really like this one, as I am a simple seeker.)

Likewise, God’s will for us as believers is clearly defined.  From Romans 12:2 “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you may be able to prove what the will of God is, that which is good, acceptable, and perfect.”

We know from 1 Thessalonians 4 that His will for us is our sanctification.  The most clear example of God’s will and probably one of the most difficult is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:18.   “In everything give thanks for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”   Have you ever considered it is God’s will for you to praise Him and be thankful?

But just like all the “how-to” videos available on Google are addictive (along with the ones where cats scare dogs to death) we have an insatiable urge to know exactly how God is working, where He began, for heaven’s sake, when he will finish and most of all… “How does this affect ME???”

Some things we just aren’t supposed to know.  We can understand His Word and His will but His way is often obscured for reasons He deems best.

“Yet God has made everything beautiful (appropriate) for its own time.  He has planted eternity in the human heart but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.”  Ecclesiastes 3:11

I, for one, am glad I can’t see the whole picture.  It is a deep and abiding comfort to me to trust Him to take care of all the details that would surely overwhelm me.  Quite frankly, I have no idea how the Internet works.  It just does and there’s some “cloud” out there holding more information than I can ever know.   I seem to have no problem accepting this fact and yet, I trust it enough to “Google it”.

Why then do I need to know exactly how God works?   And since when is it all about me?  Ruth Meyers, a missionary to Southeast Asia for over 50 years says this:  “Praise can free you from wasting your energies by speculating on just exactly how each circumstance in your life could be part of God’s plan.  Through praising and thanking God, you put your stamp of approval on His unseen purposes.  You do this not because you can figure out the specific whys and hows, but because you trust His love and wisdom.”

“Frankly I stand amazed at the unfathomable complexity of God’s wisdom and God’s knowledge.  How could man ever understand His reasons for action or explain His methods for working?”  Romans 11:33-34 (Phillips)

As you continue to FOCUS, ask Him to help you Understand His Word and His will and gratefully accept His ways. (ct)