Read | I Corinthians 13:11-12 |
Have you seen the AT&T commercial where the man asks the kids,
“Which is better: Bigger or smaller?” Of course, the kids respond “Bigger!”
Let me ask you a question, “Which is better: A bigger God or a smaller God?”
This question may yield two reactions based on our Christian experience and level of submission to God. For a pre-Christian or a Believer who has not yet submitted their will to “His” will, barriers may exist that keeps God out of parts of their lives. By confining God to a corner of their heart, God’s presence in their lives is indeed “smaller”.
Whereas more mature believers, may surmise that the words “big” and “small” do not rationally fit when placed next to the word God. God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent or in short “omni-awesome”! In fact, the word “big” is not big enough of a descriptor to encompass what He can do.
Yet, because we have an independent will, we each choose how much “God” we allow God to be in our lives. Bigger or smaller is choice we make everyday.
In C.S. Lewis’s children’s book series “Chronicles of Narnia”, the author includes thematic lessons on developing and growing faith. In the first volume, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”, while in the enchanted land of Narnia, Lucy meets a majestic lion named Aslan. Aslan represents Christ, the lion of Judah, throughout the Chronicles. In a later book titled, “Prince Caspian”, Lucy encounters him again and she says, “Aslan, you’re bigger.”
“That is because you are older, little one”, answered he. ”Not because you are?” asks Lucy. ”I am not,” says Aslan. “But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”
We share Lucy’s experience. God does not change! He is immutable and changes not. Rather our knowledge of him expands. God gets bigger the better we get to know Him. The more our faith develops, the more we grow multi-dimensionally.
In our scripture, Paul is reminding the Church in Corinth of this fact using the analogy of children. As children, we think and reason within a framework of what we can comprehend. As we grow, the perception of what we see changes. Similarly, as we grow from babes in Christ to mature Believers, we are able to grow from knowing him in part up to more fully knowing Him.
If we apply ourselves to developing our faith through Prayer, Bible Study, Quiet Time and Fellowship we will grow. Growing makes God get bigger in our lives.
After all, which is better? A bigger God or a smaller God?
You know you have a point.
Some the the things God points out to me to post, I have to do a double-take and it takes a while to catch-up with where He is leading me. Of course, that’s the “faith” part of our walk. So in faith, I understand enough of what He said to put it on paper. By faith, I trust that we both discover how big God can get the more we trust Him.
I find he gets bigger when I trust Him in new areas. For instance, in writing this blog, He put it on my heart a while ago. I resisted and finally gave in, now I see He is bigger than I allowed. I hope that helps…
You actually make it appear really easy along with your presentation however I find this matter to be actually something that I believe I’d never understand. It sort of feels too complex and extremely huge for me. I’m taking a look forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!