All over the world, people are suffering due to natural disasters. This year has already seen some of the worst natural disasters in 100 years, and some have no precedent. And isn't it significant that in our sophisticated age when we can conquer space, we are powerless to do anything about life on planet earth?!
Isn’t it obvious that God is at work? We are an independent people—we even celebrate our independence!—a national hallmark, the American spirit. What will it take for us to confess our helplessness and express our unqualified dependence on Him?
To all who can receive it, God is giving a revelation of our weakness, to bring us to the end of ourselves. Perhaps the day after U.S. Independence Day is good day to be reminded of our dependence. At a time of helplessness, God spoke to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for [My] power is perfected in [your] weakness." Paul’s response was “Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about [celebrate] my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” Contrary to the modern independent spirit, Paul was celebrating his dependence. Perhaps we should have a day called “Dependence Day” when we all celebrate our weakness and His power.
Greg,
ReplyDeleteCould we also include on "Dependence Day" an emphasis on dedicating the day to the "Unknown God" in whom we "live and move and have our being?" (Acts 17:28) Americans seem to give mental assent to a "greater power" than themselves, either as individuals or collectively. But we just don't agree on Who He is exactly. For many, it turns out that God is the one they imagine, not the God Who gives us specifics about Himself in Scripture.
Maybe we Christians can use the occasion of Dependence Day to speak of the "Name above every other name" so that the "greater power" is made to be real, personal, knowable, and one to Whom we must give account of our lives. I guess that would definitely make Him "greater."
Stan