But God...Eph 2:4

This title has been used many times I am sure, in sermons, devotions and testimonies.  That does not take away from the powerful impact of these two words however when you consider the context in which they are placed. The entire passage is in Ephesians and is worth reading and memorizing I think.

Where could we place these two words when we describe the places where God has made a difference to us and for us?  I know its hard sometimes to see that God is present and in control of the general circumstances, let alone our specific situation. In fact we could use them as an accusation couldn't we? "I'm going through all this and Im trying to do the right thing, BUT GOD, you could change all this, couldn't you?"

A thought came to me that I believe was a bit of wisdom from God, that the place that I was at that minute was because of Gods Grace.  The things that I knew about God were only because His Grace, not my intellect. Everything that has the aroma of his Divine Self on it came to be by His Grace!  The path that my feet had walked for the years leading to that point were all a result of Christs influence and mercy in my life. I'm not saying that there were not some places my feet took me that were NOT pleasing to Him. In fact if I were to pass judgement on myself I would have slammed the gavel down with all my might a long, long time ago and said "Condemned!"

But you see thats the power of the "But God" insertion. It trumps everything else and overlays His master plan and ultimate understanding of us, the human race, his calling and his nature on top (even on our very lives).  Thank God for His nature!! The amplified Bible says that in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which he loved (loves) us, EVEN when we were dead (slain) by our own shortcomings and trespasses.

Underestimating God is so easy when we only attribute to Him the limited exercising of Godly principles that we have been able to muster.  I mean even on our best God day, we are a weak and cheap imitation if we try to act outside of his influence and motivation. If God gave his very life when we were enemies to Him and His work on the cross how could we not enjoy an even more privileged and blessed state as children and heirs to his promises and divine nature? Maybe he wont change the weather for us today. Maybe he wont alter the circumstances of our life so that we can avoid........ A valley. A dark and frightening place. An exhausting race that has already gone on for so very long. Relieve the suffering of loved and the unloved.  Maybe he wont change the weather for us today. But in the rain (and in the storm) He is ready to go with us.  What if at the end of this "thing" there were a unseen blessing? Would we look differently on the task? Maybe. Maybe not.  Lets not underestimate God and limit him to only our ability to see, feel and understand.

Insert that BUT GOD into the front of the task at hand, and you will bringt His intense, great and wonderful love for us into our lives. A new friend shared with me recently that really knowing who God is and who We are in God is what makes the train (Christians life) go.  I agree with that statement. I want desperately to know Him in the Light of Truth and not my filtered understanding and I want to know Who I am in Christ so that I can, with confidence and authority perform the work that needs to be done while there is still light to work.

What kind of work is there yet to do in this fading light?  Lets talk about that.