We often imagine God’s love is somewhat like a person trying to pick up an insect without hurting it. There are things in our life all around us that we kill if we try to handle them. If God truly created the world by just speaking, then how can we expect to have a relationship with him and not be consumed by His power. The truth is, God’s love is like a fine, indestructible thread. It is strong enough to lift anything, and fine enough to bind our most intimate frailties.
Don’t get me wrong, there are certainly times we need God to exert his strength. To hold atoms in place whose center are opposing forces. We need God to move in when all else has failed in war, disease and natural disaster. We need God’s sustaining power that created the world to keep all the intricacies in play. God is powerful, and He cannot be undone, unless He chooses to be. You have probably heard someone ask “Can God make a rock so big that He couldn’t lift it?” My answer is always the same. “If He wanted to, yes.” God has chosen to limit his power before. He chose to hide Moses from his full glory. He chose us to see the fulness of His attributes in human form. He literally bowed down to our level to reach us in His Son.
There are times, though, when we find it hard to ask God to reach in. We are afraid that some problems are too small and that we are asking for a firehose to get a sip of water. So, when we struggle with some things that are personal or we feel too small for God, we are really missing out on the most elemental part of the Christian experience, God’s intimate love for us. He cares for sparrows, how much more for us? We forget that the sum of all our little problems can be more devastating to our peace and well being than one big one.
Peter reminds us: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7, NLT). “All” pretty much covers every single one of them. Jesus reminds us to take our yoke on Him, not just because He is strong and able to carry us, but because he is gentle and humble. God listened to a prophet who was belittled. He heard a need for lamp oil. He listened to soldiers and prostitutes and answered their prayers.
I sensed God’s care in visiting a little church before the holidays. When most people were asking for expensive gifts, the people at this church in a poor section of the city asked for bus fare and money for science fair projects. The people walked past the offering plate and touched it if they had no money, showing God they would give Him their talents. They were praising God with all they had, and those problems that seemed so small to us were on God’s heart. A breakup, job situation, a problem neighbor and daily struggles are all on God’s radar. When you are overwhelmed. Remember God’s power, but when you feel your problem is too delicate for God, remember His limitless patience to deal with your frailties and his laser fine empathy to know your struggle.