Suggested Reading: Psalm 131
“I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp. Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself.” Psalm 131:1-2 (NLT)
I enjoy surfing the web discovering other writers with a passion for Jesus; I find this both rewarding and daunting. I often come across unique and well-written blogs causing me to take pause on my own abilities. Maybe this is how the Lord keeps me humble.
One particular blogger writes about deep theological issues, and he writes them in such a clear, easy to understand manner. I enjoy his writings immensely (and you may as well, so I included the link to his site), but at the same time I have been tempted to run off on rabbit trails researching issues I may never understand. (Predestination, election, the trinity, soteriology…what I can understand continues to blow my mind.) This morning as I listened to Bible on audio I was struck by Psalm 131.
David starts with, “Lord, my heart is not too proud; my eyes are not haughty,” and my spiritual light-bulb goes on. True humility comes with understanding my own calling, and walking in it with confidence, rather than pursuing what I haven’t been given a mind for.
God has not called me to be a seminary grad (at this point), nor has He called me to try in my feeble attempts to understand the deepest mysteries of doctrine. He has only called me to draw on his word and apply it to my life, sharing how marvelously freeing his truth can be for the soul who believes and lives it. This is how my soul is quieted and finds peace; knowing who I am, what my purpose is, and not straying from that path.
Some are theologians, preachers, or missionaries, and some are just regular folks like me, redeemed sinners rescued from a pit of hopeless despair and called to live the liberating life of Jesus.
Very well covered, good friend. “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law (Deut 29:29). There’s much wisdom in not giving up the pursuit of difficult things… yet finding contentment in what He has revealed. God bless.
Thanks! I love the Scripture you quoted, thanks for sharing it! I do enjoy studying doctrines and such, but I avoid discussions on those things, as it usually leads me into days of futile research and debate. I’ve decided that, for me, its best to understand why I believe what I do and be able to explain it, but I haven’t been called to pursue writing about the “deep things”. There are other servants better qualified in that arena, and I remain confident in my own calling.
I agree Mike and Rebecca! While we ought to “search the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things are true” (Acts 17:10-11) and be firmly persuaded in our own minds of what we believe, of those things which God has given us limited knowledge, we must above all else exercise love and acceptance.
By the way, I think very highly of both of you. In my mind, both of you are scholars and theologians.
You’re sweet, and I’m so happy to FINALLY get a comment from you on my blog!!! Besides getting two more A’s from my writing instructor today, you totally made my day!
Glad to hear! But now I feel bad, almost guilty, that I haven’t commented sooner. I promise to be more involved!
Well, my husband tells me I’m good at giving guilt trips, haha. No worries though. 😀 I didn’t take it personally. Im under the assumption you’re pretty busy with the gazillion questions you receive on your own blog!