SNOW and entitlements

Where is our winter? What happened to the snow that we are entitled to? This is what it's supposed to look like in Wisconsin in January. Most of you know that already. And while this has been a delightful winter for walking the dog, who among us doesn't yearn for just one big fat blizzard, the kind that makes the whole world shut down and stay inside for the day with hot chocolate and blankets?

Maybe it's still ahead. And speaking of entitlement, I've been reading Job lately. It's really a good book to read when we're feeling like we're not getting the good life that we're "entitled to". Here's God: "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding."(38:2-4) Gulp. That's just the beginning. God goes on to show Himself the Creator and King and Sustainer of all things.

Now Job: "Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further." (40:4, 5)

When we are full of bravado and confidence in our own abilities and possessions, let's remember Job and cover our mouths quickly. Mostly, let's remember our Sovereign, loving God, who also said: "The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty." (Exodus 34:6, 7)

We are entitled to nothing. But He gives all we need for life and godliness. Praise Him.

Happy New Year!

Kelly Minter in her outstanding book The Fitting Room says that "Humility draws the gaze of our Sovereign God." Isaiah says much the same thing in 66:2 when he writes, "But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word." Of course, Isaiah's words are the very words of God, so they carry a bit more weight than Kelly's. Still.

And this is why God looks on the humble with favor: "Thus says the Lord: 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; . . . all these things my hand has made and so all these things came to be', declares the Lord." (Isaiah 66:1) God sees the man who looks at himself honestly and at the world rightly and at God with humility, the man who knows he had absolutely nothing to do with even the breath he draws each day, much less the world in which he dwells.

See the world rightly, as God has purposed it. Be small in light of His majesty. Tremble at His Word. Maybe this would be a good New Year's resolution.

Speaking of which, do you have any worth sharing? Like not indulging in chocolate eclairs? Or taking a Zumba class? Or reading only books you own this year, instead of library books? (That one is mine.) Or maybe something like putting off your old self, with its practices, and putting on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator? (Colossians 3:9,10) That's a good one.

Do share in the comment space what you would like to accomplish this year, silly or serious. We'd love to watch you grow . . . or shrink, as the case may be.