God is Sneaky

Have you ever discovered parts of God's character that you didn't realize existed and find fascinating?

I have definitely found this in my own pursuit and learning of God, and I love it. It usually makes me laugh and get really excited. Kind of like when I find out after 8 years of being with Justin that he knows the words to every Beyonce song and used to be really good at piano. I love discovering new things about the ones I am closest to, and the same applies to my Creator.

There are some core basics we know about God that we may see or hear about more often:  He is loving, He is a good Father, He is full of grace. This doesn't always mean they are easy to understand or feel for ourselves, but we know they are true if we believe the Bible to be truth.

In Sunday school, you may have heard some other, more unique characteristics of God:

"God is funny and has a sense of humour. Just look at the hippopotamus!"

Or in a worship service, you may have heard:

"God is jealous. He desires your heart and your time. He wants to be your only god." (Exodus 20:5)

God's character is so vast and there is always more to learn, which keeps a relationship with Him so interesting. And there are always different ways of identifying those traits, which is why I would like to tell you a story of how I determined that God is sneaky.

Have you ever asked God what you should change in yourself? Realizing you have some (erm, many) character flaws and choosing to focus on one to better yourself and make yourself more like Him?

Maybe it's for selfish reasons, like you want people to notice and like you more, so you work on ways to improve their opinion of you.

Maybe it's for misunderstood doctrinal reasons, like you're not getting the answers to prayers you'd like, so you decide to "fix" yourself to make God listen to you more.

Maybe it's for selfless and biblical reasons, and you really just want to become more Christ-like in all areas of your life. (Let's hope it's this one. I'm tired of my own wrong motives for change, and know that my best results come with a pure heart.)

I recently asked this question, and, story of my motives aside, got a pretty clear answer. Because it's still quite fresh and I'm still in a long process of pruning it, I'll spare you the details of the branch I need to cut off. But I knew there was something in my life that needed to be removed, and was actually quite hopeful about the development.

So I went straight to the written Word of God. (Thank you Christian elementary school for teaching me how to use my concordance like nobody's business!) The verses I found on the subject were quite clear that this thing did not belong in my heart. It made it so obvious that it was a desire of the flesh, which is our human nature without God.

Ps. Our human nature without God stinks. It's really gross and full of nasty things that I don't want in my life. Even the word "flesh" grosses me out. Then whyyyyyy do I give into it so often? Oh the irony.

But how, God? It's so simple to know I don't want to be like this, but how do I get rid of it? My heart is a messy place and the voices in my head can be so loud. It's overwhelming to think about the process of reconstructing my thought life and getting rid of this gross thing. (Keep in mind, I'm talking about one trait, not a personality overhaul. God doesn't ask for overnight transfiguration.)

"Keep reading," He says.

Galatians 5:16, "But I say, walk and live habitually in the Holy Spirit (responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit); then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God)."

Hmm. So in order to get rid of pesky and unnecessary desires of my stupid flesh (eugghh), I simply need to live in and be guided by Your Spirit? I just need to...spend time with You?!

God, You're so sneaky!!!  

Everything You teach us is a grand design to be in relationship with us! Your greatest desire is to spend time with us and have us know Your heart. Time in your Presence replaces our human nature thoughts with Your thoughts. Time in Your Word replaces nonsense with truth. Time with You makes us more like You. 

Sneaky may not be the best word, but it's what makes me smile and become so in awe of my Jesus who just wants to be with me. There's no striving in that. There's no overhauls and grueling tasks. It's simple. It's time with You, Jesus. You are our greatest desire and all we need. Actually.