Knowing Who God Is

Exodus 3:14a

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.”

When a road race is over, each runner forms his own opinion about the experience. Though hundreds of people have run the same distance, have taken the same turns, and have experienced the same weather, each will have his own perception of the race. Those who are happy with the outcome will say the race was great. Those who enjoyed the venue or achieved a person goal will be happy. Still others will achieve an amazing finish time but be disappointed for not hitting a goal pace.

Opinions based on experience can be harmless when they are connected to running, but do they carry over to our walk with God? Do you find yourself praising God when things go your way but questioning His character when they don’t? When the serpent tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, he planted questions about God in their heads: Did God really say you must not eat from any tree in the garden?” In the dark days of life, do you find yourself echoing Satan’s words? Do you ask, “Is God really who He says He is?”

When we are in the midst of painful circumstances, we start to wonder where God is and why He allows what He allows. But God tells us something critically important in Exodus 3: I AM WHO I AM. In this simple yet complex statement, God tells us that He never changes. He is always good, perfect, pure, and holy. The rest of the Bible goes on to reveal more of His character: tender, loving, Father, Good Shepherd. He is the creator of all things. He is perfect in power. And He remains the same regardless of our experience, opinion, or perception. We cannot comprehend this because it is truly a mystery. We are called simply to trust in this truth.

In our darkest days, though, this might seem impossible. But nothing is impossible for God. Don’t keep your questions and fears to yourself. Don’t imitate Adam and Eve in the garden; when they were confronted with doubts about God, they kept their questions confined to a conversation with each other and with the devil.

Only God will lead us in truth. Are you in a dark place right now? Do you question if God is who He claims to be? Let’s go to Him, the one who will comfort us and restore us.

Lord God, there is no one like You. But in times of pain, suffering, and tragedy, it is hard to remember that. There is only goodness in You, and You are the answer to my every need. Help me to cling to You and to trust in You. Plant Your truths deep in my heart. Let me not doubt all that You have revealed in the Bible. In Jesus’ name I pray…AMEN.

Remembering the Miracle

Matthew 6:33

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

When you come back to running after being away for an extended illness or injury, every workout reminds you that running is a privilege. After not running for months, and wondering if I would ever run again, I find that my workouts are full of praise and thanksgiving. I used to wear headphones to drown out the outside world, but now I run without music so I can savor every glorious moment. With every step, I thank God for the miracle of running again.

But I have to admit that as wondrous as this all sounds, I know that it will not last forever. Not the running part, but the thanksgiving part. The reality is that after a while, I begin to take my blessings for granted.

It reminds me of another miracle that I take for granted – something far more powerful and life-changing. It’s the miracle that gives me eternal life: salvation.

I was baptized as an infant and sealed with the Holy Spirit long before I could really even comprehend what it meant to be saved. But when I was an adult and read 1 John 3:14 (We know that we have passed from death to life) I understood that I could be sure of eternal life in Heaven.

When my pastor showed me this Bible verse, I felt tremendous relief and happiness, and the problems of this world did not get me down. I thanked God with every step I took.

And yet, with time, I began to take the blessing of salvation for granted. And then I slowly began to view worldly things as more important than Heavenly things. I prioritized the temporary ahead of the Kingdom of God. I worried about the future and I tried to find security in things that did not last. And unfortunately, I still do these things. Sure, I “include” God’s Kingdom as “part of my day,” but do I ever make it my sole priority, goal, and passion?

Jesus doesn’t just invite us to seek His grace and bring it to others, he commands it. Why? Because His grace frees us to live in His love. It builds up the Body of Christ. He promises that we do not have to worry about the things of this world. If we seek Him first, He will take care of the rest.

Maybe you, too, have lost gratitude for the miracle and seek the things of this world over Him. Let’s pray together that God will lead us back to Him as our first priority.

Heavenly Father, how amazing it is that You have called us into Your family and are happy to share Your kingdom with us. Forgive us for not seeking You first. Renew our gratitude and let that gratitude draw other people to You and into Your kingdom. Helps us to trust You enough to seek You above all else. In Jesus’ name we pray…AMEN.

Trusting God

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Nearly five months after back surgery, I have been cleared to run. After four months of physical therapy, two follow-up MRIs, two spinal injections, and several bottles of Aleve, I have been told I can go for it.

To be honest, I am almost surprised that I’ve been given the green light. After all, my surgeon and physical therapist are well aware of my conditions – degenerative disc disease and spondylosis. They both know that I have lower back pain every day and limitations in my mobility. But they also both know that running is my passion and that, amazingly, running can slow the progression of my arthritis.

I’m left with a lot of questions, wondering how my future will pan out and how much running it will include. Regardless, though, I’m going to have to trust God daily for direction. In the Bible, the word trust comes from a Hebrew word that means “to feel safe” and “confident.” I like the sound of that. God invites us to feel safe and confident in His plan.

When God tells us not to lean on our understanding, He isn’t just giving us a suggestion but rather, a firm command. God gives us a rich imagination, an ability to dream, and a desire to plan. But He gives us those gifts foremost to bring His light into the world and to further His kingdom. So He wants us to lean on Him and not ourselves for our sense of direction.

God is love and He wants to lovingly protect us. He wants to be the priority in our lives. He wants us to seek Him in all we do. His plans for us and for His kingdom can only be accomplished when we acknowledge Him. He is willing to share His wisdom so that we do not have to rely on our own finite sense of direction.

When I think of it that way – that the God of all creation wants to make my path straight – I cannot help but feel confident in my future, no matter what God’s plans may be. Again, I will be honest: I hope His plan is for me to run a half marathon again someday. But above all, I want the path of my future to glorify Him.

Loving Father, it amazes me that You love me enough to want to be part of my life and that You want to lead me with Your wisdom. Help me to remember that that is what is best for me. Things in this life sure can be confusing and seem disappointing. I usually want to try to figure them out on my own or plow ahead with my own agenda. Remind me that giving it over to You is for my best. Thank You that I can feel sure and confident with You alone. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.