TRYING TO OUT-GOD GOD?

Am I trying to out-God God?  I wonder.........

When Barnabas and Paul were preaching and teaching on their missionary journies, they were suddenly met with Jews from Jerusalem who began to demand that the new converts to Christianity be  circumcized.  Paul's comment to them was this, "Why are you now trying to out-God God?"  As God had accepted these foreigners to the faith, even with their strange eating habits, why should the church demand they follow the strict laws of the Jews?  There should be no argument, Paul and Barnabas agreed, as God had already accepted the converts "as they are."

The words "out-God God," however, kind of unsettles me. Do I load myself down with self-taught rules?  What does it  mean to today's Christian?

There is an old song about the Christian who carried the biggest Bible he could.  He lugged it around to show others his serious faith. (I'm sure some of you remember the song and the singer, as well. But I forget.) Anyway, I think some of us are like this man who wanted everyone to know what he believed just by how he looked to others.  It wasn't by kindness or goodness, but by Christian habits, showing others how deep was his faith by how big was his bible.

My mother used to tell me, "Pretty is as pretty does."  And if pretty does stuff just to prove she is pretty, I don't think pretty is so pretty at all.  If I do stuff just to prove I am special to God, perhaps I am not happy with the specialty God has chosen for me!  And if I am disappointed in myself because I haven't heard God's voice or seen His face, maybe I am asking for too much for myself, thinking too much about myself, and not being satisfied with the incredible role in life that I have been given.

Each of us has been born for a reason.  Some of us seem to scorn the reason we have been given.  I thought I wanted to go to seminary and become a pastor.  I didn't.  But I pastored my children, in a sense, and besides, I hate meetings!!  I thought I could go to art school, but  it's very expensive and by the time my husband, Jerry, got through dental school and the Navy, we had two little girls.  My two little girls and I used to color in their coloring books and draw pictures of Daddy in his dental office. I thought I might make a good writer and wasn't totally unsuccesful, but most of my time was spent in reading for myself and to a beautiful young sonn and later, a beautiful, wonderful gift.. another  daughter!  But I was loved!  And I loved in return!  And God was with me all the way!

Sometimes I feel a little envious, (Yes, that's the right word!) when someone tells me that they heard God speaking to them.  Really? I don't hear God's voice, but I know when the Holy Spirit has ahold of my tail and pulls me to my journal!  I have never had a vision, or if I have I haven't realized it. But I trust God cares about what I do, what I think, and how I act.  And in the things I am not very good at, I think God is trying to teach me, especially when it means someone else will come to know Him.

So, I'm not going to try to be someone I'm not.  Because I'm listening, God, for you to direct me in whatever else you've planned for me. I don't need to do something grand.  I don't need to see your face; I can wait to see you in heaven.  And I see your face in the countless friends who know you.  And hear your voice?  I hear you.  Sundays at 10:15.  Daily, as I read your Word. And Tues. afternoons during our Small Group. And especially when my dear Jerry tells me he loves me.

If you have more for me, you'll have to be the instigator. Because, with my ego, I might think I am someone even more special that I already am, and all because of You!

 Can you relate?   Jo