GOD is...
calm | "care-less" | elegant | faithful | happy | kindred | optimistic | passionate | valiant | vulnerable
Take a break. The express lane isn't foolproof.
The poem, Slow Me Down, Lord, reminds us that "the race is not to the swift"; it lifts our eyes to the strong oak that grew well because it grew slow but sure.
My friend, the need of the hour is to believe that God is GOD. He says "walk with me". Life is not a 100 meter race.
Some people don't seem "ready to go" when it's time to die. Reason: maybe they're not living yet. Not born again. They're missing a timeless lesson that children teach us: enjoy NOW.
"THIS is the day the Lord has made; let's rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24) Have you noticed that children love to sing that Scripture verse ad infinitum, but we adults tire of hearing it??? It's because they incarnate the message; we are clueless.
My friend, Bob Leland, was born 60 years ago, but seems about 20 years old. he has the beautiful heart of a child. He has LIVED, because he has remained apart from the cynicism and worries that decimate the rest of us. He's not a "yes-man", but he has a "Yes" face. He'll smile at any idea you come up with, and allow you to dream aloud.
Our mistakes are dual: 1. We know that God made us in His image and we therefore have supreme inherent value. But sin has stained that image in us. We see the dirt and are forced to wonder how much value remains. 2. We try to get a facelift, or surgery to cut the fat, or whatever is needed to counteract symptoms of aging. We're like the person who's as gorgeous as the sunset, but as deep as a pie tin. 3. WE try to prolong life with myriad elixirs.
Quality of life , not quantity, is the best kept secret!
We already know this intellectually...but are light years away experientially. Some people never get close. Their god is too small. He fits neatly in their pocket and never makes a sound. He died there. Why pray? He's dead. Fine to curse him a dozen times a day. It doesn't bother him. He's dead.
This is the truth: the highest quality of life comes by intimate relationship with our life source. It comes via personal relationship with his sole ambassador; (John 1:1; 6:35; 7:17; 8:12; 10:10; 11:25; 14:6; 15:-8; 17:3; Acts 4:12). Someone may be 'rich and famous', physically breath-taking, intellectually gigantic...but is nonetheless a walking corpse apart from the carpenter who made the lame walk and the blind see.
You know, it's not what you know. It's WHO you know, and how you are being transformed into that matchless beauty. 2 Cor. 3:16-18; John 17:3.
What is GOD like? He is absolutely amazing, beautiful and blessed, "care-less", calm and collected, determined and death defying, elegant and empathetic, fun-loving, friendly, faithful, gutsy, happy, holy and humble, imaginative, just and joyful, kind and kindred, loving and lovely, majestic and magnanimous, nonpareil, optimistic, peerless and passionate, regal and resourceful, sovereign and secure, tender and true, ubiquitous and unabashed, valiant and vulnerable, wonderfully welcoming!
