Escape from Gilligan’s Island: God Listens
Well, it’s Tuesday. Not sure what happened to Monday. *grumble* *complain* *looks around sheepishly* Sunday, Pastor Jeff continued the sermon series Escape from Gilliagan’s Island based on Exodus by looking at how God listens and responds with love, even when we are grumbling and complaining.
Now, I had some severe pain during the sermon so quite frankly, I probably missed some really important things. But hey, this is my “It’s Monday” response to the sermon (even if it really is Tuesday) so what is important is how I respond to what I took away from the sermon, even if it was only the sermon title, God Listens.
Ok, I took away a lot more than that, just being cranky I guess, but I want to focus on just one thing that Pastor Jeff pointed out. I really need to get a picture of our platform… maybe I will take a picture of it later this week and insert it here… but anyway, we have a large ant hill on our platform with large ants crawling up and down it. Even still, they are very hard to see unless you are near it. Pastor Jeff used that as an example of how a lot of people think God see us, an ant farm experiment. Throw the ants in and watch them do their thing, write down things on a clip board and think “yes, I should do it differently next time.”
God is not a distant, uncaring, non-involved God. He is deeply concerned for us, lives in us through His Spirit, listens to us, and responds even when we are gumbling and complaining against Him. God’s love for us is so great that despite our awful sin that should have Him dump the ant farm out and start over agin, He sent His Son to die for us that we might have eternal life. And that eternal life is guaranteed because God resurrected His Son after three days and Jesus now awaits that day in heaven when He calls us all to be with Him forever. Talk about listening and responding!
I have been somewhat cranky and probably a bit grumbly lately. I haven’t felt like doing much of anything and have neglected God. It is time I listen to God and hear what He would have for me. I know He will listen to me but … Oh, I just remembered that Pastor Jeff preached in part regarding the Lord’s Prayer. A lot of what he said must have burrowed its way into my fog bound brain because I was almost going to type what he preached on without thinking!
God is our Father. He should be respected and is holy. We are privliged as His children to be able to ask Him to meet our needs, to forgive us for sinning against Him just as we have forgiven those who have hurt us. He does listen to us but it is His kingdom and we need to give Him the honor and glory due Him, asking according to His will and acknowledging that He will provide according to His plan.
I am so thankful that even when I am grumbly and cranky, God loves me and will provide for me despite my lack of trust, love and obedience to Him. God, help me listen to you, to hear your voice, and obey your will that you may recieve the glory and honor that is yours alone.