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Changing the Narrative with One Question: Who?

I took a little break from writing the past couple weeks because I've been quite overwhelmed with "just life."  Do you ever get that?  The place where everything seems to sum up to the "I'm in over my head moment."  The interesting thing is that during these moments where I'm in over my head, the thing that is needed most is alone time with God, yet I just try harder to insulate myself with "busyness" or activities to take my mind off the circumstances.  It's like I try and create motions....just to go through them.  It must be frustrating for God to see me always try and take control of situations, even though I know full and well that the only thing I can control is the pouring of my focus onto him in any circumstance.  Unfortunately, sometimes during circumstances I'll almost point at God and ask "Why!?" instead of asking God: "Who?!"

I could go down the list of things that have happened over the past month that got me asking why, but it really doesn't matter.  What matters is that God is on your team, not your opponent.  It's crazy how I have to remind myself of that even when God has delivered me from so much!  When I was running the other day, God really spoke to me through a familiar song that got me to the root of the issue:  I'm asking the wrong question.  I'm asking "Why is this happening?" when I should be asking "Who is my God?"

It's so easy to ask God why during times of struggle.  It's easy to ask God why when a young mother dies suddenly.  It's easy to ask why when you see people close to you feeling hurt and knowing there is nothing you can do.  It's easy to ask why when you're adding up A and B but not getting C.  Isaiah 45 reads: "Does the clay ask the potter what are you making?"  I know this for certain, part of my sinful nature is not trusting in God during times when I should trust Him completely.  I'm fortunate that God is able to tap me on the shoulder and remind me that He is in control.  So who is our God?  Our God is the Great Deliverer.  What plans has He laid out that have not come to fruition?  He has never failed!  Even when we thought there could be a chance, death didn't even get in the way!

Isaiah 43:1-Fear not, for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine."  Not only does he know us by name (which to me is a big deal because I forget people's names all the time), but he says that we are His!

Isaiah 43:2-"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thouh walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."

Psalm 77:8-"Is his lovingkindness clean gone forever?  Doth his promise fail for evermore?  Hath God forgotten to be gracious? Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies?"

I really have always loved Psalm 77 because it shows David asking the same questions that I ask in times of difficulty, but then getting to the point in Psalm 77:10-"And I said this is my infirmity, but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.  I will make mention of the deeds of Jehovah, for I will remember thy wonders of old.  I will meditate also upon all thy work, and muse on thy doings.  Thy way O God, is in the sanctuary:  Who is a great god like unto God?  Thou art the God that doest wonders:  Thou hast made known thy strength among the peoples.  Thou has with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph."

What are you currently seeing in your life or the life of others around you that you are asking why? and how can you change the narrative, change your perspective, and pivot towards the one that knows you by name and counts every hair on your head?  My prayer today is that you stop asking why and start asking who.  Our God is for us.  Don't ever forget that!

Have a great week!

Cameron




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