Mr. Boh: surprises

Well Boh, our time in this land of ecclesiastic plenty is coming to an end. We are looking forward to seeing you and our kids again (who are studying their lives away in the land of the philosophers).

In line with your request for me to share observations with you, I thought I would recount some reflections about the Deity.
TRUST I am learning to distinguish between trusting God for outcomes and trusting God himself. Without a specific promise I may or may not obtain a desired outcome. (E.g. I have no guarantee that he will build his church in a particular locality.) But God has proven himself faithful in specific promises. (E.g. “I will build my Church…” where and when he chooses.)

Where the rub comes is that the reigning ecclesiastic mindset claims (à la Job’s friends) that if we do mission God’s way it will always produce successful results. Jeremiah did things right, yet according to the standard of measurable results he would have been counted as a dismal failure.

Observation: my expectations are often askew, but God is nonetheless worthy of my trust. “Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10

HOPE I used to hope for things to happen (and still do). But I feel like Frodo, who, when looking into the mirror of Galadriel is unable to discern what the visions mean or if they will indeed take place. Now, because my crystal ball yields enigmatic glimpses, I am learning to hope in God himself. And “He’ll take care of the rest.”
Observation: my desires are often improvident, but hope in my loving Father is a solid thing. “But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.” Psalm 33:18

PRAYER I know there are many reasons for God’s times of apparent silence, but they are nonetheless destabilizing. “Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” Psalm 10:1

Then, at times, he moves with alacrity as though awakened from slumber (Ps. 78:65).

At other times prayer is akin to water dripping upon rock. Very efficacious, but not as fast acting as I would like.

Hmm, I guess I wish God were more predictable, but then I would miss out on his very cool surprises. I like surprises.

Well Boh, I must go. Can't wait to see you face to face in just a few weeks.

Contemplatively,
Your friend