In the early weeks studying God of Creation by Jen Wilkin, I realized a paradox in the nature of God. A paradox occurs when 2 things that seem to contradict each other exist together. A writer uses this figure of speech to express astonishment over something unusual or unexpected. Jumbo shrimp and losing life to find life are examples.
As I studied Genesis 1, it was clear that from the beginning things have been all about God and that all power is His. He speaks a word, and creation springs forth. By name God is Elohim; by nature- all powerful and complete, having no need for any person or thing.
Moving into Genesis 2, a different attribute emerged, especially seen in the way God relates to man. By name He is Yahweh, by nature- LORD God, personally involved in the creation of man- the one created in His image. God himself forms man from the dust and breathes life into his nostrils. The LORD God plants the garden where man will live and makes it not only have food for man but also beauty. He provides instructions on how to live within the garden and creates a helper so that man is not alone.
Slow down and really take in this paradox- the all-powerful God of the universe is personally involved in the life of the one He created in his own image. The human mind struggles to reconcile this. In our economy- the more power we have, the more elevated and removed we become. Our pride keeps us from being humble. Our power elevates us and removes us from being personally involved, from caring more about others than we do for ourselves. But thankfully, our God is not like us. The all-powerful God of the universe is personally involved in our lives!
Faithfully God provided a real-life picture of this truth. My 91 year old dad has dementia, and my sister and I have the responsibility of caring for him. On a good day this is hard, and tiring, and full of “why” questions. A recent challenge has been to see him forget the things of his faith. The one who has always counted his blessings doesn’t remember that now. The one who has always blessed his food, needs that reminder as well. The one who has worshipped and served every Sunday now can’t track one day from the next. While God’s Word assures me that He is ever-present, I find myself asking Him how that works with dementia.
On a recent Saturday morning I arrived at daddy’s to take him for his breakfast. He was still in the bed, so I walked down the hall to wake him and say good morning. As I headed away from his room, I heard my dad tell God how fortunate he was to have a young lady like me come and get him up in the morning. It stopped me in my tracks- a moment of clarity between my dad and his God; an encouragement to me from my God that what I’m doing matters. The God of all power showed up in the most personal and perfect way and reminded me that He’s present, even in dementia.
Take a moment and consider- which is easier for you to conceive about God- that He is almighty or personal? I’m thanking him today that He is perfectly and completely both.
For Prayer Index Card- Psalm 113:5-8
Daily PICs for Life 