Faith, Obedience, and Two Circles

Today I listened to a 12 minute CCEF podcast called Does God Really Love My Children?
David Powlison talks about two "nested circles," and I'm half quoting half paraphrasing him below:

In the very big circle are all the things we are concerned about and want to turn out a certain way. We know these things are in God's control and not our own. The little circle is within the big one. This holds the things I'm actually responsible to do, how I'm called to live, etc.

We often wish the little circle was as big as the big one, and that there was something we could do to guarantee outcomes in health, money, loved ones, etc. But the little circle is always way smaller than the big circle. This is a major call to your faith: how to live with uncertainty. We are a morning mist. How do you live well with huge things you don't control?

That large circle is where we need to simply trust that God is in fact good. He is way bigger than we are. This is his universe, his kingdom, and he is weaving together a tapestry. Parts of it look ugly to us, and we don't understand how those can be there. But it is his universe and kingdom, and we are not the kings and queens. We are not called to know or control the future. We are called to trust. In the little circle, we are called to do everything that it means to live by faith and obey him.

So that is what I'm called to focus on - living by faith and obeying my king. For God is God, and there is no other.

...for I am God, and there is none like me,

declaring the end from the beginning

and from ancient times things not yet done,

saying, 'My cousel shall stand,

and I will accomplish all my purpose,'

Isaiah 46:9-10

photo: bridge in Potter County, PA 2008

Self-analysis

I just listened to a message that Steve recommended to me today by David Powlison called In the Last Analysis.

Biblical self-knowledge, however, is not an end in itself. Self-knowledge is only a doorway to grace and obedience. In this message for pastors and leaders, David Powlison warns of the dangers of excessive introspection and shows how Scripture turns our attention away from ourselves toward God (from Sovereign Grace's description of the message).

I listened to it while doing nothing else, whereas I'd usually multitask. I so easily analyze (or over analyze) everything. This is nothing new I'm learning about myself either, although it's being drawn out again and in new ways this past year. I need to see self-analysis as "a doorway to God's revelation of grace leading to intelligent action" rather than as "leading to a paralysis of faith and love." Powlison uses a Robert Murray M'Cheyne quote that is really helpful to be reminded of - "For every one look at your sins, take ten looks at Christ." The whole message was great. I'm sure I'll be re-listening, and I'd recommend it to others.
"but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more" - Romans 5:20

photo: Joy in Potter County, PA 2008