May 7

Written by Bill Grandi on May 7th, 2019

My title for today’s devotion is Position of Unbelief vs Position of Trust.

In cycling, there is an add-on available to all but not good for all. They are called aero bars. For years I had a set. In short, they are extensions off the front that attach to your handlebars. They allow for a “stretched out” position, a more aerodynamic position (hence the name aero bars). They take some getting used to in both control and also in physical comfort. Over time it becomes a very comfortable position, but not right away. The cyclist has to work up to extended periods in the aero position.

And learning to feel comfortable, learning to trust that position did not happen overnight. I learned when to use the bars and when not to. While some were more “daredevilish” than me, I chose to be selective. I chose not to use them on very steep descents. Yeah, I wasn’t very comfortable at all with speeds of 40+ mph trusting some bars out front of me that I’m leaning on. I used them on the flats (especially when riding against the wind) and rolling hills and even some descents, but I was shaky at other times.

I have put off reading Gay Girl Good God by Jackie Hill Perry because I didn’t want to read another “I was born this way” book. But too many good and wise reviews have crossed my eyes, so I started reading it last night. I’m glad I did.

“Unbelief doesn’t see God as the ultimate good. So it can’t see sin as the ultimate evil. It instead sees sin as a good thing and thus God’s commands as a stumbling block to joy. In believing the devil, I didn’t need a pentagram pendant to wear, neither did I need to memorize a hex or two. All I had to do was trust myself more than God’s Word. I had to believe that my thoughts, my affections, my right, my wishes, were worthy of absolute obedience and that in laying prostrate before the flimsy throne I’d made for myself, that I’d be doing a good thing.” (p.19) (emphasis mine)

See what she said? Whom I choose to believe makes all the difference. I can trust myself and my flimsy system or I can trust God’s Word.

But I can’t stop with JHP’s words there. She goes on to write: “But what God said would come from disobedience, happened. Their (Adam & Eve) refusal to trust Him over and above their inordinate affections, their distorted logic, and their desire for autonomy rendered them no longer friends of God but enemies.” (p.19)

BAM! That’s the sound of the truth hammer hitting the nail on the head!! My position in life, particularly as it applies to sin does matter. Whom will I trust? Whose side will I take? Who will I put on the throne of my heart?

“Father, may my position be one of trust in you not one of unbelief, i.e. trust in myself.”

Sorry this devotion is so long today. I had so much to say.

 

 

7 Comments so far ↓

  1. May we all reject the flimsy throne of “me” and worship God with our whole being. Very powerful words here today, Bill.
    Blessings!

    • Bill Grandi says:

      Rejecting the throne of me sounds good but man, is it hard! But you are right Martha. Thanks.

  2. Ryan S. says:

    As much as the culture would try to lead me to believe that truth is subjective and really is a matter of simply being happy with the decisions I make, I do tend to find it much more comforting to know that there are absolutes in life. My choices may lead me away from those absolutes on occasion, but I know where I need to go to calibrate. If life is based on subjectivity, there is no calibration, there is no normal, there is no true.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      Good point Ryan. No absolutes = no guilt (or so they think). Calibration is not possible if we have no absolutes. Thanks Ryan for a great reminder.

  3. Diane Ronzino says:

    Yes Sir, BAM!

  4. floyd says:

    Wow. That is straight up wisdom summed up in a few words. “God’s commands as a stumbling block to my joy.”

    We’re all guilty of this to one degree or another…

    And yes, that hit the nail right on the head and drove it home in one shot…