A Pop Quiz

God asks each and every one of us the same exact question He asked His disciples, who arguably knew Him better than anyone else could claim to, “Who do you say that I am?”  Because God works in our lives in very personal ways, we must answer this question very personally and intimately with Him.

Man, I hate pop quizzes!  Jesus’ question forces me to ask some tough questions of my own.  Do I really know Him on a personal level?  How long have I been in my relationship with God?  How well do I know His mind?  Do I know how He works specifically with me in my life?  How does He communicate with me?  What does God’s voice sound like in my life?  We’re able to recognize the speech patterns and inflections of the voices of our loved ones. We’re able to hear their voice and know who they are without seeing their face.  So, can I do this with God?  When He speaks to me, can I recognize the voice of God?  And am I able to point His voice out to others?  Do I point His voice out with humble confidence?  Or is it with timidity and doubt?

Then I think about Peter.  Peter is just sooo human.  Peter boldly proclaims to Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And then when Jesus says He is headed to Jerusalem to be killed, Peter takes Him aside and boldly says, “That’s a horrible plan, I can come up with a better plan than that!”  Imagine, telling God you have a better plan.  Good thing I never do that!

I have family members and friends who have drifted from their faith in Jesus and His Church by the trappings and seductions of the secular world.  Or maybe they never had it.  I have tried logical arguments, and I’ve tried pulling their “guilt strings”.  I try to set an example by my practice of my faith.  But even if my example or guilt trips or arguments seem to show promise, I know that no one has ever been argued into a relationship with God. When someone establishes a walk with Christ, it isn’t my doing, it is the awesome power of God’s grace.  I know that, too.  So, why am I plotting out my arguments, guilt trips and ways to set an example?  

It may come down to control and trust.  I want to be in control and I’m not sure I can trust God.  Which is strange.  I know that I am at my best as Christ’s ambassador when I simply pray and open myself up to the Holy Spirit.  When I submit fully to God’s hand is when things seem to work out best.  So, if that is my experience, why is control and trust such an issue?  Why don’t I fully entrust myself into God’s hands?  Why do I think I have to fix this or that or have to do this or that on my own?  I wish I knew.  I’m an imperfect creation on a walk with my creator.  And I don’t always seem to be able to follow the path He has laid out before me.  It’s a good thing I worship a loving, forgiving God.

My prayer today is for all of us who don’t seem to be able to relinquish control and simply trust the God who loves us.