Our “God Projects”
As I read Romans 9:32 from the Message translation a number of things occurred to me. This verse says,
“How could they miss it? Because instead of trusting God, they took over. They were absorbed in what they themselves were doing. They were so absorbed in their “God projects” that they didn’t notice God right in front of them, like a huge rock in the middle of the road. And so they stumbled into him and went sprawling.”
As a young teenager I attended a congregation that did not have elders. It was a regular practice to have a monthly men’s meeting. In this monthly meeting the men of the church would meet to make decisions for the church. We had so many questions. Do we have authority to spend “the Lord’s money in this way? Can we help that family, after all they aren’t members of the church? Who will clean the building this month? Who will cut the grass? Can we let members who have facial hair and no tie wait on the table? So many projects, so many decisions, so much to do!
As a young preacher I have sat in on many elder and deacon meetings. Who will take care of the upkeep of the building? Who will count the attendance? Who will oversee the classes? Who will take care of the order of worship? So many projects, so many decisions, so much to do!
While serving as an elder in the church I have participated in many important meetings. Who shall we delegate to count contribution? Which projects are worthy of our financial support? Who can we get to hold our meeting this year? Not to forget the effort that must be put forth to make sure that brethren get along with one another. So many projects, so many decisions, so much to do!
As a mature preacher I hear so much in the brotherhood. Can we fellowship congregation A? After all they are progressive. Can we use brother B? I heard that he spoke to the liberal church across town. Be careful about the preachers who come out of the “Southern School of Preaching”. They bind things God’s Word doesn’t bind you know. Have you heard about ole brother “so and so”? He has gone off the deep end. So many projects, so many decisions, so much to do.
The Pharisees in Jesus day were full of “God projects”. Our Messiah had to deal with these people on a regular basis. Yet we never see Jesus losing focus concerning the things His Father had sent Him to do. Is it possible that we have so many “God projects” we lose sight of the Lord? So many projects, so many decisions, so much to do.
