Weekend Word - Part Two

“Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great are His riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is to understand His decisions and His methods! For who can know what the Lord is thinking? Who knows enough to be His counselor? And who could ever give Him so much that He would have to pay it back? For everything comes from Him; everything exists by His power and is intended for His glory. To Him be glory evermore.”
Romans 11:33-36

These verses from Romans are titled “Doxology,” which comes from the Greek word doxologia or doxologos, meaning ”praising, glorifying” (doxo – praise, logos – speaking). I love this passage because I feel like it puts my feelings into words. The first part that stands out to me is the portion that states “How impossible it is to understand His decisions and methods!”…Boy isn’t that true…I’m sure that I’m not the only one who has stopped and asked, “God, what are you doing? What are you thinking? This can’t possibly be right…” I can’t begin to name all of the times I’ve stopped and questioned God’s decisions and methods, His plan. It’s kinda funny because as a teacher and a “storyteller” at church, I am constantly directing children to “Trust God No Matter What” and to know and remember that “God’s way is the best way.” I think this is one of those easier said than done concepts. That’s why this verse is one of my favorites. It sort of puts me in my place. It’s not even remotely possible to be in on God’s whole huge plan. Our finite minds wouldn’t even begin to be able to understand or even handle God’s mind, His heart, therefore, we cannot even really have an inkling as to His decision making process and motives…

The next parts I like are the three big questions: “For who can know what the Lord is thinking? Who knows enough to be His counselor? And who could ever give Him so much that He would have to pay it back?” Talk about feeling small in the huge story of God! As puffed up and proud as I can feel when something great happens because of me or my efforts, it’s quite humbling to think that I cannot even come close to paying Him back for all that He has done for me. It’s easy to feel like I’ve got it all together, especially during those rare times that life is running on all cylinders and things just seem to fall in to place. Sometimes I get really sucked in to the day to day things that I have a tendency to think I can do everything on my own, that I don’t need to rely on God or His wisdom because I’ve got it all figured out, I can take care of it all on my own. In reality, I typically have no idea what I am thinking, so I can’t even begin to know about what God is thinking, more or less think that I know what I need to do better than he does. “Who could ever give Him so much that He would have to pay it back?” I do a lot. I’m not trying to be boastful or anything, but I know that God has created me to be a servant so “doing” comes naturally to me. I rarely mind, or even call any attention to what I do to serve others and God. That being said, I have had many times when I have kinda kept tabs in my head…”Well, God must be really pleased with me this week, I spent almost every night working to bring others closer to Him…I wonder if He’ll send an extra special blessing my way because of it…” I’ve even said things like “I bet I get another crown for this one.” (as in my heavenly reward) I don’t have too many moments when I feel like God “owes me one.” On the other hand, I have had times when I need something from God, whether I’m in a tough spot or someone close to me is and I sometimes, inadvertently, try to use my service as a bargaining chip. This question helps remind me that God doesn’t owe me a thing…no matter how much I may think I deserve it. Serving is not something I do to get paid back by God, it’s something I do to honor and glorify His matchless name.

Finally, “For everything comes from Him; everything exists by His power and is intended for His glory.” As a college student I had the privilege of being a part of a great student “movement” (for lack of a better word) called Passion. One of the things I love about the leaders of this movement is that everything that comes from them, whether in word or in deed, points people to God. It’s designed to be for His glory. I learned from them that that’s what we’re here for…to give God glory. When you look at your life in this light, it changes things…it changes how you spend your time, who you spend it with, what you say, what you do, even what you think…If I can live my life with this statement in mind, that “everything comes from Him; everything exists by His power and is intended for His glory,” then I believe I am on my way to becoming the kind of person God wants me to be—someone who realizes my dependence on Him and points others to His love and forgiveness.

“To Him be glory, evermore.” – Amen