The underside
This fresh set of Daily Devotions is being provided for our LCA/NZ family, friends and visitors to help us to keep our eyes on Jesus as we face unsettling times. They can be used by families and individuals as part of the LCA/NZ’s Church@Home resources to encourage us and build trust in our Heavenly Father during this season of uncertainty and physical isolation.
by Jane Mueller
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‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways’, declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts’ (Isaiah 55:8,9).
In her poem Life is but a Weaving, Corrie ten Boom describes her life as a tapestry. Corrie is on the underside of the tapestry. From her perspective it’s not clear why dark threads are required. God, however, weaves from the upperside. He sees the need for light and dark, for he is privy to the magnificence of the whole picture.
When we criticise or complain about the decisions of those in authority, we assert judgement without all the facts. In our naïve small mindedness, we fail to discern that we are on the underside of the tapestry – the side where the darkness doesn’t make sense and the threads appear loose and messy. We are unable to see or admire the big picture, or to appreciate the purpose and value of each thread. We question why certain threads are prioritised in ways that don’t make sense from our perspective. We find fault with the pace of those weaving the tapestry, not appreciating that the gathering and preparing of different threads often involves complexities not visible from the underside.
In his letter to the Romans, Paul explains that God calls people into positions of authority. When we are disrespectful towards those in authority, we are disrespectful towards God.
We do not need to busy ourselves with opinions about the work of those in authority. For us to impose our criticism is not only unhelpful, but it brings a stress into our lives that God did not ordain.
There is peace in knowing God calls and equips those in authority. There is peace in trusting that God is in control. There is peace in living by faith and not by sight. There is peace in knowing God’s ways are not our ways. There is peace on the underside.
Gracious Father, we give you praise and thanks that the leaders of our nations accepted your calling. We bring before you especially at this time of our Australian and New Zealand prime ministers, premiers and chief ministers, and LCA/NZ and District bishops. Bless them in abundance. Overwhelm them with your limitless love, grace and mercy, just as you fill them with strength and wisdom. Amen.
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