In a culture where the trend is You do you…
A culture that motivates with encouragement that you can do anything you want to do—be anything you want to be. Break down any wall and climb any mountain.
Where does this statement of letting God be God fit?
I’ve been studying the Psalms this summer and throughout these passages, whether the psalmist is rejoicing, crying out in despair or asking for God to be judge, He is remembering the power and strength of who God is and relying on Him.
In Danger/Despair:
Psalm 7: 1-2 O Lord my God, in you do I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and deliver me, lest like a lion they tear my soul apart, rending it in pieces with none to deliver.
In Judgement/Testing:
Psalm 7: 3-5 O Lord my God, if I have done this, if there is wrong in my hands, if I have repaid my friend with evil or plundered my enemy without cause, let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it, and let him trample my life to the ground and lay my glory in the dust.
Psalm 7: 8-9 The Lord judges the peoples; judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me. O let the evil of the wicked come to an end and may you establish the righteous, you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God!
In Praise:
Psalm 148: 13-14 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above the earth and heaven. He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the Lord.
Overwhelmingly this summer, I have processed my own desire for control, and my own realization of how flimsy it is. Nonexistent even.
When I see the depth of my sin, when I see the fragility of my own emotions and capability, where do I go? If I am banking on You do you philosophy, then I am banking on a substance that feels weak, is flawed, and is incredibly small.
I don’t want that philosophy as my refuge. If I’m the point—If I’m the answer, I’m in trouble. I want something bigger. Need something grander.
I need something that Psalms 148 celebrates. The psalmist says Praise Him 13 times in the span of these 14 verses. Praise Him…why?
The psalmist shares the why…
Because He made the heavens in which He calls home…
He lives among angels…
He made the sun and moon and all the stars that glitter our sky and inspire songs and dreams and measures of heroism.
Praise Him because He knows the depths of the ocean—He commanded them to be.
And He made all the interesting creatures that live within the great abyss.
He is the God who controls hail and snow and winds.
He is the God who creates all the beautiful and miraculous things that live among the trees and forests.
He is the God who orchestrates powerful leaders such as Kings and queens,
And yet knows the names of all children—even the unborn.
We could go on and on about why God is good—and all the characteristics He upholds simultaneously and perfectly that allows us to trust Him.
When I acknowledge God as God—I acknowledge that I am not in control.
When I acknowledge God as God, I acknowledge myself as a creature. With the limitations of a creature.
When I acknowledge God as God, I throw myself on the mercy of Him who made me. I beg God to be the one who provides—the one who saves—the one who makes the tough decisions. I get to be a creature who lives the life I was most designed to live, guided by a Creator who knows everything—and loves me to the point of dying for me.
I don’t want the burden of being judge—He is much better suited—He who knows the hearts and minds, and stands outside of time seeing the beginning from the end.
I don’t want the responsibility of making all the things happen—I’ve tried. Desperately. And I can’t.
I don’t want things to rise and fall because I said so—I don’t want things to bank on me. I’m too frail. I’m too ridiculously sinful. I’ll choose wrong.
And while I am a created being—while small, I am significant because of the One who claims me.
I am powerful because of the power He gives me.
I am creative, with the gifts He has equipped me.
I am lovely because I look like Him and He is beautiful.
I am capable of the things He calls me to, because He gives me the energy and endurance to make it happen. It might be breath by breath—endurance through pain and tears, but He will make the things happen.
No thanks, You do you.
I’ll do what God built me to do.
I’ll be what God calls me to be.
I’ll set aside my own agenda, knowing I want the one who designed the starry night to design my life.
Lord, help me live as the psalmist. Please be the God You promise to be.
Please don’t let my life bank solely on me.
Sincerely, Crystal 