Are We Dissing God?

(Photo by Hazel King)

When God created the heavens and the earth, he established an orderly world. At the end of his work, “God looked at everything he had made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1:29, NCV). And for a while, it was very good indeed. We all know what happened next. Adam and Eve – or Eve and then Adam, for those sticklers for placing blame in the proper order—disobeyed God, and the perfect world God had created was forever changed for the entire human race. When the First Couple realized what they had done, they were ashamed and hid from God in the Garden of Eden. The consequence of their sin was to lose that paradise forever.

Not everything went wrong, of course. The animal kingdom continued living as God intended, just as they do today. Elephants and cattle are herd animals. Fish swim in schools. Geese fly in formation. No giraffe—as far as we know--has ever asked God why he made its neck so long. Nor has the leopard complained that he’d rather have stripes like the tiger instead of the spots God gave him. Animals accept the sovereignty of God.

It is only man who continually strives to create his own order rather than follow the plan God has for his life. Speaking in generalities, mankind is often disorderly, disrespectful, and disobedient. We disagree with God’s plan and purpose and think we can improve on it by discovering “who we are” and “following our bliss.” When we think we are smarter than God, we distance ourselves from him. Is God paying attention to our displeasing attitude? I think so. Do you think he might even be a little disgusted with us? I wouldn’t be surprised.

When we insist on going our own way without concern for pleasing God, we are “dissing” him. We are also doing ourselves a great disservice, because whatever we can “believe, conceive or achieve” will be nothing compared to the rewarding life God wants to give us. Let’s stop dissing God and instead seek to discover his perfect will for our lives. He won’t disappoint us.

“ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).

Father God, help us not to be disobedient children who disgrace your holy name. Instead, let us display Christ-like submission for your will to be done in our lives. Amen.

-Hazel King
Copyright 2008