This morning I was struck by how small-minded I can be. My thoughts are easily swayed by culture or what this world says would be great. I try to force God down to my size and fail to imagine that He could be anything more than I could fathom. What a stupid thing to do! How could I limit an unlimited God? How can I put parameters on what God can or can't do?
In Matthew Chapter 16, starting in Verse 13 Jesus begins to question his disciples about who people think that He is. Immediately they start to declare what others have said about him "some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the prophets". When he asks them about their thoughts on the matter, Peter (always quick to speak his mind) says "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God". In that moment, Peter gets it. He recognizes the significance of whose presence he's in. What a powerful thing! BUT just a few verses later, Peter finds out that the plan for Jesus is suffering and death. According to Peter, this isn't a good plan. So he takes Jesus aside and tells him that this can't be! There it is. There's the humanity rearing its ugly head. Did you catch it? Just like me, Peter tried to tell God what the plan was. God couldn't possibly have gotten this right, the Messiah needs to be told by good ole Peter what is actually going to happen. Peter > God.
When I stop to think about it, this seems so absurd! How can Peter think he has the right to tell Jesus the plan? Then I think, Oh, that's what I do all. the. time.
My prayer this morning is that I would stop trying to limit an unlimited God. That I would recognize that I'm the one who needs to learn to follow what God's plan is, not try to force Him into my little box.
God can do immeasurably more than we can dream or imagine. And I for one, cannot wait to see what's in store.
Until next time,
Karly
Matthew 16: 13-23; Ephesians 3:20
