News flash--i have a small view of God

So i am reading Knowing God by J.I. Packer as part of my daily devotions and it is really stretching me. If you have ever read Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer, Packer's book is a less flowery, more practical treatise of getting to know the multi-attributed God. Both books are fantastic and should be read by every Christian at some point in their life. Here was the convicting part of today's reading: "Ignorance of it (an emotional relationship or tie with God) argues that, however true a man's thoughts of God may be, he does not yet know the God of whom he is thinking."

This is very striking and piercing to me on two fronts. First, I am not an emotional type of guy. I do not react emotionally most of the time. Part of that is inherited. The other part comes from not wanting to be seen as driven by emotion. I do have problems with people who are driven by emotions (mainly they just get on my nerves), but what is wrong with emotions that stem from truth? Nothing. Resolved, I will try to keep this in mind and put it into practice myself.

The second way this quote is devastating to me comes in the negative. I am at ease worshiping, praising, delighting in God by myself, or when i see that God is being glorified by others. But, when i see that God is not honored, am i torn and upset? No. Should i be? Yes. David said he cried rivers of tears because God's laws were not honored by the people. Even worse, i seek out people who do not honor God as my entertainment by the tv i watch, music i may listen to, etc. Do i cry rivers of tears because of the message that is being sent out to millions of viewers from the shows i watch. Nope. I don't even think about being conflicted. Why is that? Because my view of God is as small as a pin hole. So i must train, labor, discipline, and practice to let God condition me and not the world.

God-Centered Uhauls

In the last few years there has been an obvious push towards "God-centeredness" in different ministries. For some churches and ministries this was a genuine cry, but now it seems that the terms "God-centered," and "Christ-centered" are only cliche; the latest lingo in a long line of "purpose" statements. Who is not going to say that their church is not "God-centered"?

All of that to say this: we have moved! I am now serving in a church in southwest AR. How did i get so much stuff in just four years? Moving stinks! So how can moving have a God-centered approach? How can i glorify God in a real way as i unpack an endless number of boxes? To be honest, it is tough. Everything is unsettled; we are having to learn new people, new places. We are having to pay two sets of bills for the first month; we are having to get cable, internet, etc installed with all those start up fees. All of this can get overwhelming for me and my wife. Enter the Gospel; Enter the Altogether Lovely; Enter my "Tardy Joy" as Augustine labeled Him. I am reminded once again that in the midst of confusion and chaos and boxes, there is only one Rock, only one sure thing. I hope you get the providential opportunity to relish in the Famous One after a week of instability. Do not let the pursuit of God in everything you do become only a banner that you wave around. Stop waving for a while and start living it in the quiet moments of your time here.