When Our God is Too Small

Greetings in the Name of Jesus,

During last Sunday's Celebration service, we had to conclude early due to a medical emergency involving a church member. Emergency services were called upon, and it was necessary to allow them space to perform their duties. I am pleased to inform you that the individual is now home from the hospital. The doctors are continuing to investigate her health concerns. We kindly ask for your continued prayers for Jeannie in the days ahead. 

This Sunday, we will continue our journey through Genesis by focusing on the story of Jacob. Jacob is the second born twin to Isaac, son of Abraham. Esau was born first and therefore had the honored position in the family of being the first-born. Jacob, born second by a few seconds, was jealous of his brother's position in the family. Jacob thought he deserved the first-born blessing and position. Jacob was more cunning than his brother Esau, and because of his deceit, usually managed to get the best of his brother. But there was always a price to pay for Jacob’s deceit. 

In so many ways, Jacob’s story is our story. We think we know what is best. We pretend to be what we are not, to get what we think we need. Like Jacob, we eventually find ourselves trapped. But God does not give up on Jacob. And God does not give up on us. 

The transformation of Jacob also changed the way the Hebrews understood the name Jacob. From this time forward, the name Jacob came to mean “the one redeemed” or “the one God protects”. God is always working to change our identity to the ways of grace, protection, and blessing. 

We all need to know that God is on our side. There is nothing we can do to keep God from loving us. God is always about the business of redeeming and making new. 

I walk by faith, one step at a time. In my prayer life, God often answers me with this question, “John, how big is your God? Do you trust me?”

When my son John was small, I would often ask him, "Jonathan, how big are you?" He would raise his hands as high as he could and shout, “This big!” Down deep, I wanted him to know that God had made him special. Despite the problems and challenges he might face in this world, the God of all creation was with him. God had shaped him with gifts, intelligence, and savvy to handle whatever life dealt. 

The God who created us is bigger than anything we might face. I'm deeply convinced that the way we live is a consequence of the size of our God. The primary problem in our lives is we are not convinced that we are safe in the hands of a fully competent, all-knowing, ever-present, utterly loving, infinitely big God. When our God is too small, we pray without faith, worship without awe, serve without joy, and suffer without hope. The result is a life of stagnation and fear, a loss of vision, and an inability to persevere and see whatever we are facing to the end. 

Therefore, join me in moving forward dependent on God to bring the best to what God has planned for us. Remember, the church is the combined work of God’s people under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

As I call on God in these moments, it's like I hear Jesus whisper to me, “John, you and I are going to walk through this together. Depend on me when everything is outside of your control. Trust me when you feel the tides of anxiety. I will give you a strength that will surprise you and be more than adequate to cope with whatever it is you have to face.”

Join with me in praying for God’s work here at Stonebridge UMC. Join me in looking upward. We live in tough times, but our God is BIGGER than ever. This is why the Apostle Paul said: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

See you Sunday!

Pastor John Allen