Growing up in my grandmother's house was anything but dull. She was extremely superstitious, along with a strong belief in living a Godly life. She would make me release the ladybugs I had jarred during the day before nightfall. She warned me of following a black cat and to never pick one up. I think it was because they were signs of evil. Groucho Marx is supposed to have said, "If a black cat crosses your path, it signifies that the animal is going somewhere." I was always reminded not to go under a ladder, even if I wanted to throw one of her old quilts over it to make a tee pee. When I had done something mischievous or gone somewhere suspect, she would never chastise or condemn but would advise with the phrase, "remember there is an eye in the sky." This one, she kept as advise reserved for me through my teen years.
This, in principle, rings true for me this morning. That is, I believe there is One watching over me. Yet God calls me not to fear the unknown or to live by unnecessary worry. In various psalms the writer talks about how the eyes of my heavenly Father are always upon me: The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord is on His heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; His eyes examine them. But not only does the Lord watch over me, I have the assurance that God protects and saves me as I fear Him. Psalm 33 reminds me: "But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine."
How often have I lived as if this is reality these days? Have I gone through my days conscious that God is really present? Instead, hasn't it been more often that I've been often burdened by unnecessary fear and insecurity about all aspects of life from health to finance. I'm finding I'm to often bound to what might happen like grandma, Nettie, who sometimes lived according to superstitions. Now, I can't deny life offers its daily challenges—some more severe than others—but I need to perpetually remind myself that God is not indifferent to my concerns. The Father is watching over me constantly in love, and He can, does and will continue provide help. Jesus, being aware of my tendency to live with one eye on the possibilities that might befall me, He similarly patiently reminds me not to be anxious. Just as God cares for the calalilies in the beds and the Tufted Titmouse of the air, He will give me what I need. I know this truth abstractly and even try to assure and encourage others with it, but I too often struggle to live it out in the daily grind of life. It really gets to me that while I want to believe that I'm not alone in my struggles, I find it difficult to internalize this truth with certainty. Sometimes it even seems like life continues to get tougher by the day, and not just on one occasion have I found myself questioning if God really sees or cares.
Of course, then I read books like Tim Keller's "Walking with God through Pain and Suffer." Or Piper's: "The Hidden Smile of God." The writer of Psalm 33 also seems to handle this uncertainty by going back to the very beginning. Celebrating the goodness of God, the writer looks to the creation of the heavens. Remembering how God has directed human history from the beginning to the present serves as a powerful reminder that God is still in sovereign control over all. Even when it appears God has left me alone with our anxiety and His hand is far from my trying circumstance, my trust in God can be grounded in His goodness and faithfulness, and not on my limited sight of reality. Over time and eternity, who is more worthy of my confidence and hope?
And yet, I'm continually learning that living in the awareness that God is watching over me calls for a daily response on my part. During times of uncertainty or moments of routine I must continue to look to God as the Faithful One who helps and delivers.
This, in principle, rings true for me this morning. That is, I believe there is One watching over me. Yet God calls me not to fear the unknown or to live by unnecessary worry. In various psalms the writer talks about how the eyes of my heavenly Father are always upon me: The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord is on His heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; His eyes examine them. But not only does the Lord watch over me, I have the assurance that God protects and saves me as I fear Him. Psalm 33 reminds me: "But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine."
How often have I lived as if this is reality these days? Have I gone through my days conscious that God is really present? Instead, hasn't it been more often that I've been often burdened by unnecessary fear and insecurity about all aspects of life from health to finance. I'm finding I'm to often bound to what might happen like grandma, Nettie, who sometimes lived according to superstitions. Now, I can't deny life offers its daily challenges—some more severe than others—but I need to perpetually remind myself that God is not indifferent to my concerns. The Father is watching over me constantly in love, and He can, does and will continue provide help. Jesus, being aware of my tendency to live with one eye on the possibilities that might befall me, He similarly patiently reminds me not to be anxious. Just as God cares for the calalilies in the beds and the Tufted Titmouse of the air, He will give me what I need. I know this truth abstractly and even try to assure and encourage others with it, but I too often struggle to live it out in the daily grind of life. It really gets to me that while I want to believe that I'm not alone in my struggles, I find it difficult to internalize this truth with certainty. Sometimes it even seems like life continues to get tougher by the day, and not just on one occasion have I found myself questioning if God really sees or cares.
Of course, then I read books like Tim Keller's "Walking with God through Pain and Suffer." Or Piper's: "The Hidden Smile of God." The writer of Psalm 33 also seems to handle this uncertainty by going back to the very beginning. Celebrating the goodness of God, the writer looks to the creation of the heavens. Remembering how God has directed human history from the beginning to the present serves as a powerful reminder that God is still in sovereign control over all. Even when it appears God has left me alone with our anxiety and His hand is far from my trying circumstance, my trust in God can be grounded in His goodness and faithfulness, and not on my limited sight of reality. Over time and eternity, who is more worthy of my confidence and hope?
And yet, I'm continually learning that living in the awareness that God is watching over me calls for a daily response on my part. During times of uncertainty or moments of routine I must continue to look to God as the Faithful One who helps and delivers.
Father, God, I echo the faith of the psalmist instead of the qualms of my hidden superstitious: I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. Holy Spirit help me to do the same. Amen
