A Word from Mike.....
To continue some thoughts started in my article from last month, let’s consider a few thoughts from the book of John. In ch. 3, upon His encounter with Nicodemus, Jesus said an interesting thing to him that we need to keep on the front burner of life and ministry. Nicodemus and friends (the Sanhedrin) thought that they had a definitive grip on the things of God. He even had the audacity to give a condescending approval to Jesus and His ministry, saying, “Rabbi, we know (have come to know by watching) that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” It appears that the statement had to do more with the Sanhedrin’s approval than on Jesus’ clear identity. Jesus immediately took control of the conversation and talked to him about being ‘born anew from above.’ Nicodemus was quite confused and responded accordingly, asking Jesus what it meant to be ‘born again.’ Jesus, then makes the following fascinating statement in v8: “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Though this was directly spoken to Nicodemus, I notice a principle that permeates virtually everything about the workings of God…They (these workings) are really difficult to get ahold of, measure, quantify, and evaluate because they are supernatural! Some of the results are, indeed, measurable, but not always the workings themselves. They are just not often subject to natural measurement. Jesus did say that we can sense the effects, without understanding the causes. I can’t help but wonder if our preoccupation with measuring the effects might not be encouraging us to think we can produce supernatural results by our own doings. Can we plan God’s working? Can we even predict it? Can we maneuver God into doing what we think He ought to be doing?
It is not necessarily wrong to measure, but the challenge is to measure the right things the right way. How many and how much may be helpful in some ways, but unless the tangible effects are what the Lord desires and resulting in long-term Kingdom and personal growth, then they are not from Him. We want only what God wants, initiated and produced by God’s power, for God’s glory, and for God’s purposes. So, let’s be careful not to be like Nicodemus in assuming that the work of God is subject to our understanding and our or our group’s approval. Nicodemus and friends had a lot to learn about Jesus, and so do I! I long to find more joy in marveling at the workings of the Lord and relishing in His mysterious, and often unpredictable ways of doing what He does. There are many like me, who sometimes become impressed with what we can do for God, but there is no other like Him Who can do what only He does and cause us stand in awe. Soli Deo Gloria!!
MM
