Lately, I find myself wanting to send you (the church) more encouragement. I would send you emails all the time to encourage you as you life this life, but I don’t want to overwhelm your inbox. So, I’m doing it here, that way you at least have the choice.
As many of you know, I have a tendency to drive a little fast. I might be what some would call an “aggressive driver.” I’ve been working on that. But, there is this truth I know. I don’t care how fast your car CAN go. I care how fast you’re WILLING to go. In other words, if your car can go 120 mph, but you’re only willing to go 65, then get out of the passing lane. But, if your car can go 80 and you’re willing to go 80, then, you have my blessing to be in the passing lane.
The reality is, there are speed limits on highways and freeways, but cars are not limited by those speed limits. Most cars can go faster than the posted speed.
My encouragement for you today is this: God is not limited by our experience or understanding of who He is.
Our finite minds can have a hard time grasping the nature of who God is, even in what has been revealed to us in the Bible. Paul’s prayer for us is that “being rooted and established in love…we might have the power to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. And to know this love that surpasses understanding…”
I’m still enthralled with the concept that we need God’s love to be able to begin to understand God’s love. That’s why we should never let an unbelieving world tell us who God is. You can’t know who God is until you know God.
But, that’s not the big thing. Not only is God’s love immense, but so is God. In fact, God’s love is immense because God is immense.
Too often, we limit God because of our understanding of who He is. We don’t ask for help, and we certainly don’t expect His help. Primarily because we have limited his ability to help. Our definition of God keeps us from really fully and completely trusting in Him.
But, what I wanted to encourage you with today is, God is not limited by our experience of understanding of who He is.
First, our experience. Just because God has not moved in this particular way in the past, doesn’t mean he won’t in the future. In fact, the opposite it true. As we grow in Christ, more and more of what happens is new. And that’s the business God is in. He is making us new, He is making all things new. God is doing a new work. God is all about the new. So, we should be praying and expecting God to move in ways He never has before. That’s who he is.
Second, our understanding. Just because we have a limited knowledge of God, doesn’t mean there aren’t aspects of God’s nature that are outside of our understanding. You may not know that God is “Jehovah Jireh” which means, The Lord Will provide. But, the fact that you don’t know that doesn’t mean God can’t provide for you. You may not have the understanding to know that God is a comforter. But that doesn’t mean he can’t comfort you.
That’s my point. God is not limited by our limited understanding.
And that’s a great thing, because whatever you find yourself in or surrounded by today, that means God is bigger than it all. Whatever is concerning you, God is bigger than your concern. Whatever is stressing you, God is bigger than your stress. Whatever is worrying you, God is bigger than your worry. Whatever is bringing you joy, God is bigger than your joy.
He is a great big God. He is much bigger than the limits we put on Him.
So, put the pedal to the metal and test the height, depth, width and length of God’s love.
(Don’t put the pedal the the metal in your car and then blame me when you get a ticket!)