God and me

Early in the morning talking it over - Me and God
Late at night talking it over - Me and God
You could say we're like two peas in a pod - Me and God
- lyrics by Josh Turner, "Me and God"

Josh Turner's country ballad about his relationship with the Father features a nice duet with bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley. And in parts of the song, Mr. Turner acknowledges God as Creator and the beginning and the end of everything. Nice relationship.

Yet, there is something a little too folksy and -ridin' in the pickup together to go huntin' - familiar about the relationship described here. It's almost as if Mr. Turner and God are so much alike that he considers the Creator and sustainer of the universe to be on a level plane with him. The very order of the title - Me and God - really has it backwards.

We are not equals with God Almighty. We are subordinates. An earthly culture does not espouse the view of superier and inferior. Workers are associates, when it is clear that someone makes decisions that others have to follow.

Our relationship with God is so much more than punching a time clock or collecting service awards. We are subordinates to the mightiest entity in this, or any other universe. He is so much more than we can imagine or ascribe to Him. Yet he condescends, willingly, to you and me. He is available at any time and can alter any number of details in our lives. But it really depends on how those changes will glorify and magnify His name.

We can approach the throne boldy because of our standing through Jesus, as the writer of Hebrews points out in today's devotional. But it must be with the underlying reality that I exist to please the Lord and not the other way around. I will most enjoy this life when I understand what I will be doing in the next life - honoring and bringing glory to God, the Father and His son Jesus.

Pray today that God will give you an ongoing sense of awe and wonder about who He is and how you may best please Him.

Charles Fortney
elder