By: Abby Anderson
Begin with 2 minutes of Silence
Scripture
Isaiah 9:6 "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Devotional Thoughts
When I read this verse, I think of the book, "The Shack". In it, God appears in several different physical forms, representing the different persons of the trinity (The Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit). The different "characters" of God seem very unique from each other, but they way that they relate to each other makes it clear that they are all part of the same being.
It always feels impossible to me to understand how God could fulfill every role that we need. How can a Mighty God, who should be feared, also fulfill the part of a comforting Counselor? And is also like a daddy? And is also Jesus, the teacher and miracle worker? But that is who He is. God is unending and completely enough. The Great "I Am".
Still, doubt and apathy find me regularly. This quote from one representation of God from "The Shack" helps me understand why it might be so difficult to trust God's everything-ness to me:
God is unending and completely enough. The Great "I Am".
"I am what some would say 'holy, and wholly other than you.' The problem is that many folks try to grasp some of who I am by taking the best version of themselves, projecting that to the nth degree, factoring in all the goodness they can perceive, which often isn't much, and then call that God. And while it may seem like a noble effort, the truth is that it falls pitifully short of who I really am. I'm not merely the best version of you that you can think of. I am far more than that, above and beyond all that you can ask or think."
-William P. Young
Questions to Consider
Are there any roles of God that are particularly meaningful to you at this time? Are there any roles that you find more difficult to understand or connect with?
Prayer
Dear Lord, in this season that we celebrate the child, Your Son, that was born, humble us by helping us to remember that You are bigger and more capable than we can even begin to imagine. Help us to rely on You to fulfill every role and every need. Give us joy and peace in the knowledge that we have The Great "I Am" loving us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
End with 2 minutes of Silence