Wednesday, 18 October 2006

Can YOU explain God's timing?

I don't know why this is a good week, but it is. God is good, but I still sometimes don't know why He blesses us when we don't deserve it. I love those kind of times, but they never cease to amaze me because I never see them coming or expect them.

The family came to the Chapel Choir Alumni Concert. I guess it meant a lot because Mom and Dad kept acting like they wouldn't come, for this reason or that reason, so to have them there was special. They got to see the fruits of our many labors over Homecoming weekend. I even met a fellow Ludington HS alum who graduated from Hope during the rehearsals.

I love The Gathering. Paul Boersma's message about the concept of "Shalom," God's Kingdom actively being carried out on Earth was awesome. I'm one of those crazy people who want to see The Gathering and Chapel and good ol' Cornerstone Baptist Church back at home attack the real issues, the ones that make us uncomfortable. Not a popular view, but hey, God never said that Christianity was a popularity contest. Nevertheless, an upbeat, encouraging message like this one at The Gathering is a great send-off to a new week and after a very tiring Homecoming weekend, that was exactly what I needed. I've come to enjoy praying at the stage after Communion, too. It's a good time to just lay the upcoming week at God's feet, to pray for things that really need praying for, and to share that with other friends who love Jesus, too. I often find myself praying for the Bible Studs; they're an amazing group of guys and the fellowship is awesome, and I am honored/thrilled to have the chance to help shepherd the group. But God made ABUNDANTLY clear to me before the year started what an awesome responsibility it is, so I'm trying to keep that in perspective and constantly lay that all before Him. Which makes me think: I guess I should be like that with every aspect of my life. Hmm.

Speaking of the Bible Studs: there's been something about this year that's different. It's probably partially because of the fact that now that I'm a co-leader, I have to put so much into the group on a regular basis, more than just taking part in the discussion like when Ben led us. Maybe it's also because I'm getting heavily immersed in Pauline epistles. Intro to Biblical Literature is an interesting class... it has really forced me to examine what all this stuff in the New Testament means, and it's hard. We have seemingly conflicting viewpoints from different scholars, and they can almost make the Bible seem like it's contradicting itself, or maybe that Paul was wrong. It scared me at first; I thought, "Maybe Paul wasn't right. He was a person, after all."

But then I remembered what it says in 2 Timothy 3:16 about how ALL scripture is God-breathed. God isn't going to contradict Himself, and it really wasn't Paul's ideas, but God working through him. Our Bible isn't written by people, they just held the pens and let God direct what they wrote. God isn't presenting us with contradictions; I guess it's just a matter of trying to fit all of the writings together, because they ARE true. Nevertheless, it's still a challenge. Thinking back to the Bible Studs, it's been really meaningful to study Romans. I was hesitant at first to study such a challenging book, but it has been amazing to learn it more in-depth while concurrently studying some of Paul's other works in the classroom. It feels like I'm REALLY being armed with knowledge that's useful, and that I'll come away from my REL 220 class and the Bible Studs with a truly greater understanding of the Bible. I'm only ashamed that it's taken so long to reach this point, but again, I'm seeing God's intricate plan and timing at work. It's exciting.

Currently Listening John Rutter: Requiem/I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes The Lord is My Shepherd see related

Comments(1)

I agree. I really ejoyed paul's message at the gathering. I really liked hearing a new point of view. Good stuff.

strummingalong

Awesome to hear how things are moving. Incredible how some of Hope's classes can really expand your perspective on faith. Good part of our growing process, if I do say so myself. Haha, God bless man. Sing it up at Vespers for me!!! Tell me, are there any new cute girls there? wink wink
God bless bud, Keep it Real

TheGoofyKnight