PASTOR’S CORNER, Jeremy Harris, First Southern Baptist Church, Liberal
One of the most challenging phrases I hear as a Dad is “I forgot.” I find this phrase especially frustrating at bedtime. After the kids are in bed, and my wife and I settle down to relax for a bit and then we hear noise coming from one of the kids rooms. Upon investigation I find a child sitting up in bed with the light on and playing with something (or reading or talking with their sibling, etc…) When I ask why they aren’t in bed, they tell me “I forgot.”
The reason this is so frustrating is that all the signs are their to remind my child it is bed time. They just finished brushing their teeth, using the restroom, they are wearing pajamas, they’ve given and received hugs from everyone, and I sent them to their room. The next logical step is to turn out the lights and lay down. How did you forget between the living room and your bedroom? (our house is not that large). But with their minds on others things or a desire to pursue other options, they get to their room and “forget” to go to bed.
Consider Romans 1:18-20 with me for a moment.
18 For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, 19 since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse.
Paul tells the church Rome that people are without excuse when it comes to recognizing God’s existence and work in creation. I think sometimes we act a bit like my children who don’t always want to go to bed when it is time to. We don’t want to acknowledge God and His right to rule over the world (which includes ruling over you and me). So, we look at the world around us and try to convince ourselves that God isn’t in control and that we can do whatever we want. All the signs of a loving creator are there, the tilt of the planet, the distance from the sun, the air that we breathe, and the provision of food. All of this points towards an intelligent and loving creator who designed this world for us to live in it.
The problem we often face though is that if God is in charge, then His rules must apply. This is where we start to turn away and look for alternative answers and pursue our own desires before God’s. A few verses later in Romans 1 Paul says “25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served what has been created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen.”
I hope that someday when I stand before the Lord I won’t say something like “I forgot” or “I wanted” but that I will be able to say “I worship the creator of the universe, who loves me and you.” Next time you step outside consider that God made this world, placed You in it, and has a plan and purpose for you!
