“Hey, Mr. Green Jeans!” mocked one kid on the elementary school playground.
“Those ain't jeans,” yelled another kid. “They're pukey green dress pants.”
I looked down at my hand-me-down slacks filled with shame. However, as the mocking grew more intense, I grew more angry! Before I knew it, the joke turned into a fight. After it was all over, those green slacks were torn at both knees and a back pocket.
That night mom lit into me for destroying the slacks that she had given me. Later, we made a trip to the clothing store to buy a replacement pair of pants. Now was my chance to get what I really wanted—a pair of rugged, blue Levi jeans! I had them in my hands when my mom brought up another pair of green slacks!
“We're in luck, Jimmy,” she gushed. “They were the last new pair!”
“Mom, I really want these jeans instead of slacks,” I explained.
“No, Jimmy,” she reasoned. “You'll like these dress slacks much better.”
I went home with a mixture of intense frustration, sadness, and a pair of pukey green pants. How could anyone know what was really on my mind without asking me?
Do we treat the Lord of Heaven and Earth in the same way? How many times have we tried to second guess God with our preferences? Do we really know what is best for God?
Actually, we only know what God desires through His revealed word. Paul quotes the prophet Isaiah, “However, as it is written: 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him'—but God has REVEALED it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:9-11, emphasis mine).
Confused at what God requires from us, some have asked, “With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” (Micah 6:6-7). Micah responded, “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (6:8).
Why don't we humbly allow God's revealed word to tell us what is on His mind? Can't we say, “not my will, but Thy will be done”? Dare we offer up “pukey green pants worship” to God and say, “You'll really like this much better”?
by Jim Morris
Activity For The Day - Decode The Message
