“I am absolutely convinced that our biggest problem is our small view of God. Every other problem is a symptom. A small view of God is the cause of all lesser problems. A big view of God is the cure. On a bad day, we tend to reduce God to the size of our greatest failure, biggest problem, or worst fear. On a good day, we tend to reduce God to the size of our greatest gift, highest hope, or best attribute.”- Mark Batterson
“Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.”- Romans 12:1 (MSG)
As Mark Batterson continues Chapter 9 of Primal, he observes that when we reduce God to conform to our way, in essence we create God in our image. Thus, our version of God is just a little bigger, stronger, and wiser than we are. As a result, we envision a supersized version of ourselves.
However, Pastor Batterson states, when you come to faith in God you enter the kingdom of infinite possibilities. In contrast, with a big view of God, you realize that living beyond the limits of your human capacity is the way you love God with all His strength. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we reflect and respond to what Christ did for us on the cross.
Consequently, Mark states, the most primal form of love consists of receiving with gratitude what Christ’s already done for us. The scientific term albedo refers to the amount of light reflected by a celestial body. A moon of Saturn, Enceladus, reflects 99 percent of the light hitting its surface – the highest in our solar system. Hence, Mark continues:
“In a similar manner, we are called to reflect God – His compassion, His wonder, His creation, and His energy. You cannot manufacture those things. You can only reflect them. Our love for God is nothing more and nothing less than a reflection of God’s love for us.”
Today’s question: Are you more prone to have a small view of God or a big view of God? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “After a lifetime of striving”
