Ever felt overwhelmed? Life moves fast, so to speak. The more "life goes on" the more complex and intimidating it seems to be. The more we watch the news or look at our schedule or receive awkward emails from that one acquaintance, the more we come to realize the craziness of life. Even if we make bulletproof plans or have resourceful minds it can be quite a challenge to stay on top of the madness. Plus, life's little conundrums hit us different ways. For example, if there's one thing that frightens me, it's information overload. I don't mind making decisions, but I like my choices to be somewhat limited. Give me ten thousand options and I freeze up because I'm no longer sure what's best for me. At least I'm not alone:
Although peanut butter is a little bit silly to get so worked up over, I'd still say that in a lot of ways our lives and the principle of "freezing" remain the same. We can't comprehend our lives all at once and so we just...panic.
Is it really meant to be this way, though? Is it really our job to see the big picture and orchestrate everything as well as we possibly can and hope it doesn't fly to pieces? Somehow I just don't think we should be in this position..
As it turns out, the Bible actually has something to say about the big picture. Take a look at Psalm 46:1-3:
"God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah"
(ESV)
This might sound like wishful thinking. However, there's more to the song:
Come, behold the works of the Lord,
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah"
(Psalm 46:4-11, ESV)
What's to be made of this? Basically, the big picture belongs to God. He decides what happens. The desolations in the Psalm sound scary, but according to the "New Spirit Filled Life Study Bible" the word is more appropriately translated "astonishingly terrific events". Additionally, the reference to a melting earth isn't to say that God wants to wipe out the planet, it's to demonstrate his power over everything. The fact is that while nations fight and choices abound and awkward texts are sent, God still remains sovereign King of the Universe, and He loves you. It's not your job to look out for what's best, because He's already doing that. Note that the author writes about God being with us and being a fortress. That applies to you as well. God knows exactly where everything is going, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28 NKJV) If that weren't enough you could also look up Psalm 40, which talks about how God thinks of us more times than we can count, or Jeremiah 29, where God speaks to a rebellious people about his plans for them being good even while He has to judge them.
The truth is, life is hectic. Choices abound, the news will continue being sensational, and peanut butter variety will continue to be complex. It doesn't matter nearly as much though as God's plans and love for us. Knowing that God has the reins gives you less time to worry about life and more time to enjoy it. So go enjoy it! After all, it's compliments of the God Who made it just for you.
(ESV Means English Standard Version)
(NKJV Means New King James Version)
*Calvin and Hobbes, by Bill Watterson. Strip obtained at http://thesocietypages.org/economicsociology/files/2010/06/peanut-butter.jpg, a website neither owned nor operated by I-BulldogStudios.
*Orchestra cartoon obtained via Google images
*New Spirit Filled Life Study Bible, by Thomas Nelson, copyright 2002, page 723-724
Although peanut butter is a little bit silly to get so worked up over, I'd still say that in a lot of ways our lives and the principle of "freezing" remain the same. We can't comprehend our lives all at once and so we just...panic.
Is it really meant to be this way, though? Is it really our job to see the big picture and orchestrate everything as well as we possibly can and hope it doesn't fly to pieces? Somehow I just don't think we should be in this position..
As it turns out, the Bible actually has something to say about the big picture. Take a look at Psalm 46:1-3:
"God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah"
(ESV)
This might sound like wishful thinking. However, there's more to the song:
"There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
The Lord of hosts is with us;I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah"
(Psalm 46:4-11, ESV)
What's to be made of this? Basically, the big picture belongs to God. He decides what happens. The desolations in the Psalm sound scary, but according to the "New Spirit Filled Life Study Bible" the word is more appropriately translated "astonishingly terrific events". Additionally, the reference to a melting earth isn't to say that God wants to wipe out the planet, it's to demonstrate his power over everything. The fact is that while nations fight and choices abound and awkward texts are sent, God still remains sovereign King of the Universe, and He loves you. It's not your job to look out for what's best, because He's already doing that. Note that the author writes about God being with us and being a fortress. That applies to you as well. God knows exactly where everything is going, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28 NKJV) If that weren't enough you could also look up Psalm 40, which talks about how God thinks of us more times than we can count, or Jeremiah 29, where God speaks to a rebellious people about his plans for them being good even while He has to judge them.
The truth is, life is hectic. Choices abound, the news will continue being sensational, and peanut butter variety will continue to be complex. It doesn't matter nearly as much though as God's plans and love for us. Knowing that God has the reins gives you less time to worry about life and more time to enjoy it. So go enjoy it! After all, it's compliments of the God Who made it just for you.
(ESV Means English Standard Version)
(NKJV Means New King James Version)
*Calvin and Hobbes, by Bill Watterson. Strip obtained at http://thesocietypages.org/economicsociology/files/2010/06/peanut-butter.jpg, a website neither owned nor operated by I-BulldogStudios.
*Orchestra cartoon obtained via Google images
*New Spirit Filled Life Study Bible, by Thomas Nelson, copyright 2002, page 723-724
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