Sunday Self-Portrait
Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 8:54PM This morning's sermon was solid, substantial, profitable. Charlie Dunn preached part of a series on Abraham; his passage this morning held the account of the weak moments of Abram and Sarai when they turn to their own resourcefulness in order to make God's promise of a son and heir come to pass. Charlie began with a story illustration about Oliver Cromwell's famous request to be painted "warts and all". He went on to say that the Bible is full of stories, not about spiritual heroes and their moral uprightness, but of a God who lavishes those he loves with grace even when (especially when) they least deserve it. Abraham was no different; instead of remembering the voice of God, he listens to the voice of Sarai. His memory falters. He forgets God's faithfulness. He takes the reins.
While chaos follows, not only in his immediate family situation but also in the unfolding history of the nations which come from his sons, God continues to speak to and chase after and love his children. He does not forget. He remains faithful. He reigns. God's purposes indeed unfold, until finally the radical and unbelievable extent of his unconditional love is seen in the coming of his son Jesus. The promised son, the son who would save.
I am so much like Abraham in his weakness. I can worship God on a Sunday morning, leave the service, and spiral down to a devastatingly low place in minutes as I listen to and see the effects of the fallen world around me. From the fighting of my children to my own failures at home to the poverty in so many regards of so many people in the world...it becomes an immediate weight that threatens to pull down and destroy. Yet, suddenly, in spite of all of my ineptitude at being a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, housewife, there is the hand of God. Again. Holding. Firm. Strong. Everlasting.
Warts and all. Wavering faith. Desire to move forward. Learning to wait. Leaning heavily on the strong tower.
"In the Waiting Room" - sermon title
Reader Comments (3)
Oh this was lovely! What a beautiful way to describe God - that He appears as though suddenly... when He was really there all along.
You are so insightful and say the things that are swirling around in my head, but can't seem to put words to.
Man, that sounds like a perfect sermon for the season of life we're in right now! God's been telling us to wait (for what, we don't know!) and we have both really struggled with our faith because of it!