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timehandsHat tip to brother Michael who often says those words and reminds me of God’ s good nature. Last night in church I was hanging onto to those words, pondering them, when our pastor suddenly said the very same thing, “God is in a good mood.” Hallelujah, I do love God’s perfect timing, His synchronicity, His affirmations, His validation.

So it’s settled, “God is in a good mood.”

It’s really unfortunate, but sometimes we have this perception of God, what I call the cranky God of the old testament, the disapproving grandfather with chronic indigestion, the forever angry and wrathful Father. That’s not God, that’s a human response to the moody and abusive people we have encountered in our lives. It’s sad because so many of us equate authority and power with being helpless and in the hands of someone moody who doesn’t seem to like us very much.

That’s not God. That’s people.

Something I really like in the tale of the talents, the lazy servant says, “‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So in my fear, I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what belongs to you.’” Matthew 25:24-25

treasureHow we perceive our Master influences our behavior. Is He a hard man, perpetually in a bad mood, unfair, greedy? Do we respond to Him in fear, hiding our treasures in the ground or do we understand that “perfect love casts out fear?” Do we sense His generosity, His abundance, His compassion?

“I knew that you are a hard man…” It makes me sad sometimes, we live in a culture that often misses the boat, we equate being hard with power and authority, and softness than becomes weakness, a sin even in some circles. Grasping the truth of Paul’s words is so important, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

The ability to be weak, to be vulnerable, to be completely dependent on God, is strength, it takes great courage, and it is genuine power.

Jesus is the human face of God for us to see, He is our example of what God’s heart for us is. He is not a separate being dying at the feet of a wrathful and vengeful God, a perpetually angry Father who even hates His own son. It’s grievous to even write those words, but it’s a false idea so prevalent among us that I have to say it and I have to say, it’s all wrong.

God is in a good mood, God is not a hard man.

 

lionand lamb