Do you know who you’re talking to?

We complain a lot about doctrine and theology, but when you look at how so many professing Christians live their lives, I think we’re woefully lacking in and ignorant about both of them!

For example, do we really understand what it means that God is omnipotent and sovereign? Or does the way we interact with God often look like we think we know better than God does about how our life and this world should function?

In the Globe and Mail, Allison Lawlor relates the following story …

“In 1969, in a science lab in New Jersey, Canadian physicist Willard Boyle and his colleagues invented the concept of an electronic eye. Using their knowledge of mathematics and the behavior of light they provided the science behind digital cameras known as a charged-coupled device or CCD. The CCD technology revolutionized photography, as light could now be captured electronically instead of on film. CCD technology is used on the Hubble telescope and the Mars Lunar probe. It was Boyle’s invention that allowed us to see the surface of Mars for the first time. In 2009 Boyle was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics.

“A few years after the original invention of CCD technology, Boyle walked into a store to purchase a new digital camera based on his invention. During the visit, the salesman tried to explain the intricacies of the digital camera, but stopped, feeling it was too complicated for his customer to understand. According to one long-time friend, Boyle was normally a humble man, but on this occasion he was taken aback by the salesman’s arrogance and disrespect. So Boyle bluntly replied: ‘No need to explain. I invented it.’ When the salesman didn’t believe him, Boyle told the salesman to type ‘Willard S. Boyle’ into his computer and see for himself. A Nikon representative in the store heard the exchange and immediately came over to have his photograph taken with the famous inventor.

“At times we almost act like that impatient salesman in our relationship with God. We tell God how life works or how we think it should work. But God simply and confidently responds, ‘No need to explain. I invented life’.”

Humility is an important element in our relationship with God …

“No, O people,  the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God,” Micah 6:8.

“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor,” 1 Peter 5:6.

“And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble,'” James 4:6.

There is nothing we know more about than does God. Put another way, God knows more about anything and everything than any of us! He’s the Maker of life, and the Creator of all. He’s omnipotent and sovereign. He really does know what’s what, and what’s best!

Do you approach God with that kind of humility? Or do you interact with God like that impatient salesman? When you come before God, do you really know who you’re talking to?

Scotty