Who's Running the Show?

"For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him." Colossians 1:16

Francis Chan, in his book "Crazy Love", asks the question: "Don't we live instead as though God is created for us, to do our bidding, to bless us, and to take care of our loved ones?"

I will say this...There are plenty of people in this world who have this attitude toward God. Unfortunately, some of these people actually sit in seats next to us within the church. You know the ones that I'm speaking of - they love God and serve Him as long as nothing bad happens to them. As soon as they lose a job, a loved one, go through financial difficulty, or have problems in their relationships they quickly turn on God.

We were created for His pleasure, not the other way around. We are to be on mission with God trying to fulfill His will for our lives. God isn't obligated to bless us. God isn't obligated to take care of all our problems. God is God. He's running the show. Too many people act like selfish children when they don't get their way. We throw a fit on God and storm off in the other direction. All you have to do is read the account of Jonah after God spared the people of Nineveh. Rather than rejoicing in the fact that an entire nation of people were spared, Jonah sits alone whining over God's mercy.

Before we judge Jonah, however, we better look in the mirror. I know people who got angry when reports of Jeffrey Dahmer getting saved in prison came out. They didn't like the fact that this horrible criminal would be forgiven by God. He deserved Hell in their eyes. But don't we all deserve hell? The Bible says that "All Have Sinned" - "No One Seeks After God." If God gave everyone what they deserved then we are all in danger. Oh, but God is rich in mercy! And thankfully He delights in giving it.

In 2 Samuel 24 you can read the account of David doing a foolish thing by taking a census. God gave him 3 options for punishment. Famine, being pursued by his enemies, or plague. David chose to be turned over to the hand of God rather than men. In his words, "Please let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for His mercies are great..." If you continue to read you will find that God's mercy was great. Sure, a lot of people died due to the plague that God sent but we also hear God speak to the angel and say, "It is enough; now restrain your hand."

Once we understand that God runs the show - He is our Lord - we do His bidding and not the other way around, then we will be able to follow Him with our whole heart. The good news in all of this comes from Romans where we find that "all things work together for God to them who love the Lord and are the called according to His purpose." I'm not saying that it is all done for your good but for His. At least in your case it can be said that you have been found faithful to God even when it doesn't seem to go your way.

Remind yourself today: I was created for God's good!