Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Does God Care?

Traditionally, I spend the week from Palm Sunday to Easter contemplating Jesus’ last days on earth. My emotions waver as I consider His triumphal entry through His crucifixion and culminating in His resurrection. Today, I wonder if I have allowed these truths to penetrate every area of my life—specifically the area of eating. Typically, I focus on Jesus and His suffering and sacrifice. I think about how He felt and the agony He endured. I wonder what type of love He possessed that would drive Him forward knowing His fate. Certainly, I must think of Him and His life to understand who He is and to nurture a relationship with Him. But I don’t want to stop there. I want to let these truths wash over me and permeate to my core.


Years ago the question of who Jesus is was settled in my heart. Jesus, Son of Man, crucified and resurrected three days later, can only be the Messiah. With this knowledge, faith, and His saving grace, I walk with confidence knowing when my physical life ends my eternal life with God will only be beginning. But how do the truths of Christ’s last days, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection apply here and now? Does this knowledge make a difference this moment? Should it?

These questions lead me to ask: Was God only interested in our eternal well-being when He sent His son as an atonement for our sins? One reason we don’t let God enter every area of our life is because we think he doesn’t care. We think God doesn’t notice how many jelly beans we pop into our mouths or He isn’t paying attention when we reach for a second Reese’s peanut butter cup. But He is and He does! And I wonder if He feels pain or sorrow because we have shut Him out.

God does care about the details of our lives. He proves it through Scripture. During Jesus’ last hours He predicted Peter’s denial, made sure John would take care of Mary, and answered a dying thief’s last request. And while Jesus “was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood,” (Luke 22:44 NLT) He still showed concern for His disciples by reminding them to, “keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you. For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak” (Mark 15:38 NLT).

My friend, God cares—about you and the details of your life. Include Him in each decision, large or small. Better yet, allow Him to make the decision.

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6 comments:

Shannon Cochran said...

Barb, I love the way your substantiated your point that God cares about tiny details. Beautiful. Personally, the more I grow in Christ, the deeper my awareness of His genuine care and concern for ALL the details--large or small. Oh, to know Him more!

Barb Winters said...

Shannon!

Thanks for your comment! So grateful your relationship with Christ continues to grow and you feel his care for all areas of your life!

Melinda Daffer said...

Thank you so much Barb. This is exactly what the girls and I have been discussing over the last few days. "Letting go, letting God"...
Having blind faith when it comes to God's will. A very difficult thing to accomplish. Even to the strongest of Christians.
"My friend, God cares—about you and the details of your life. Include Him in each decision, large or small. Better yet, allow Him to make the decision."
I really needed this. I will pass it on...
I love you!
He is risen!!!...

Barb Winters said...

Melinda! How wonderful to see you on here. Isn't it fun how God ties things together.

I miss you and your girls - give them a big hug for me.

He is risen indeed!!

Laura said...

Thanks for this important reminder that we need to include God in all our decisions, no matter how small they may seem to us. As I grow in my faith, it becomes more and more clear to me that when I'm not turning the "small" areas of my life over to God, then I'm also less likely to turn to Him when the "big" things come up. Faith is kind of like a muscle - I have to exercise it to keep it strong! :-) Have a Blessed Easter!

Barb Winters said...

Laura -

Excellent illustration! "Faith is kind of like a muscle - I have to exercise it to keep it strong!"

And it's true that the more we turn to God, the more we will turn to God.