Day 27 - "But You Never Told Me..."

Name: Korey Compaan (staff)

Scripture:

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” (Psalm 32:8)

Reflections:

Have you ever wondered why a syllabus is required for each class in college?  It sets expectations, informs of what is coming so we can be prepared.  It eliminates the “But you never told me…” argument.  Assume for a moment that college courses are metaphors for life.  This makes God’s Word the syllabus for every “class” in which we enroll.   No surprises, right?

And yet, in my deepest, darkest, most private moments, when I feel like life just dropped an overly difficult pop quiz on me, how often do I insist on presenting the Almighty with the “But you never told me…” argument?  Consider the ‘whens’ of Isaiah 43:2:  “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

These ‘whens’ are not speculatively circumstantial, they cannot be substituted with “if.” They are declarative (e.g. “When you get hungry…” or “When you get to mid-terms…”) – promises of events that are absolute, pre-determined, non-surprises. 

What makes Abba the ultimate professor is that He still allows me to submit my “But…” query, even though He already gave me the syllabus!  I am not chastised for lack of knowledge or for being ill-prepared for life’s quiz.  I contend He actually relishes the moment when I pose that question!  This question indicates I am open to instruction, open to learning. 

Prayer for the Day:

Father, I know that I have had many “But . . .” moments, and that I will again.  Thank you for loving my questions and for loving me.  Help me to lean in, to trust, and to learn.