– A God Who Is Never Too Busy For Me
BRD REFLECTIONS:
2 Corinthians 5 and Psalm 44 (NIV)
(Yang Ai Lan, Facilitator, Strangely Warmed Retreat)
READ:
For this reflection, the verses in Psalm 44: 9, 14, 16-17, 18-19, 22-24 and 2 Corinthians 5:1, 5, 7, 17, 19-21 spoke to me.
OBSERVE:
In the first 8 verses of Psalm 44, God’s great works were praised, yet from verse 9 onwards, the Psalmist wrote that God has ‘rejected us and disgraced us’ even though ‘our heart has not turned back… yet you have broken us in the place of jackals and covered us with the shadow of death’.
Has God rejected us or forgotten our afflictions and oppressions?
2 Corinthians 5 reminds me of my hope in Christ and where my eternal home is:
“For we know that if our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house eternal in the heavens. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. for we walk by faith, not by sight.”
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
As I read these passages, I cannot help but agree with the Psalmist that God is so powerful and omnipotent. So why does He at times seemingly choose not to help and save us?
I could relate to this when I was going through a crisis as a young Christian. I questioned God – Why did You forsake me? What have I done wrong to deserve such treatment?
I was angry with God for leaving me in a lurch. I reacted with anger when things did not turn to my liking. I took everything in my own hands and failed in all missions. Only after failing many times. I realized nothing can help me. My heart then softened and I turned to God for help.
Even as a mature Christian, sometimes I can feel myself being far from God, and wondering why God is not more present as my help when I face challenges at home and at work.
APPLY:
As I write this reflection, I am reminded that it is not God who is far away. It is I who is not spending enough time with God. God is never too busy for me but I am sometimes too distracted and busy for Him.
DO:
I must worship God.
I need to constantly engage the Holy Spirit to let God be part of my life, to lead and guide me daily.
I must draw near to God, and I must give Himtop priority in my life.
I will continue to strive to read His Word daily and practice the spiritual disciplines with the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
PRAY:
Dear God, I thank you for the word as a wake-up call to turn to you always. Your Word gives me life. I am sorry for neglecting them at times. Give me the desire to know You more through Your Word, the strength to obey, and not be tempted by the ways that seem to give joy but take me from the path and authentic joy that You desire for me. May the Holy Spirit prompt me and enable me to walk in closeness with you, to be sensitive to your prompting. I pray that I will be rooted and established deep in the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge so that I can turn my eyes upon Jesus and the things of the world will grow strangely dim. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
