Caught in the landslide of the Perfect God pt.3

"And being found in human form he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." -Phil 2:8-9

Bet you thought that it would be a passage from Hosea. psych! (sike? psyke?) I do hope to get back posting stuff about the book of Hosea. But since all Scripture is God-breathed...

Signing up to Challies Scripture memory email group has been fantastic (as has writing up flash-cards for them!). Mostly because I don't think I would remember to write verses on flash cards, so this in a way, has been quite the motivator...mostly because I'm lazy, if I had my way i would spend the rest of my days reading, blogging, napping, and working out (I'm not actually sure if I'm serious...or joking. seriously joking? jokingly serious?)

Anyway, back on track. today I've found myself dwelling upon this verse. In actuality I was dwelling upon the word obedient. As I was thinking upon it, I began to realize that although i know the dictionary definition of obedience. I hardly know how it looks practically in practice, and I hardly knows how it looks coming from the very depths of my soul.

I know there are times where I will gladly and joyfully be obedient to Jesus. It is usually during the times when I know the pain and cost will not be large. There are also times when humble glad submission comes very difficult for me. Those are usually the times that I do not know the destination, or path clearly. Nor can I see what it will cost me, or how much the pain of submitting will be.

In my arrogance, like Israel, I chase after what I think will give me most joy. In my arrogance I believe that Jesus is here to take joy away from me. In my short-sightedness (humourously, I am ACTUALLY physically short-sighted), I am like a 3 year old boy throwing a temper-tantrum at Zellers because my parents wouldn't get me super-sized Mr.Big chocolate bar.
I can only see the short-term desires, and can't see the consequence. God, like my parents, only desire me to be joyful. I can only see clearly what is in front of me, but an Loving God outside of history, outside of time, can see what is ahead of me. And desires to give me my greatest joy. And, although I may not think it all the time. My greatest joy is Him. My greatest Joy is a joy that feels deeply through all pain and sorrow. My greatest Joy remains even in sadness. My greatest Joy, is open and honest, everlasting and real. My greatest Joy is Jesus, because He is enough.

Hansen