Sermonettes 29
FRUSTRATION
by Martin De Haan
God frustrates us. He frustrates us by putting us in a maze filled with limited vision, countless choices, narrow passages, and walls that won't move. Within these passages He gives us more than we need and far less than we desire. He gives. He takes away. He changes us in the presence of those who refuse to change. He urges us to love and then breaks our heart with concern. He tells us to run to Him with our requests and then refuses to give us what we asked for when we want it. God frustrates us. He pours life into hands that never asked for it and then watches as we helplessly attempt to keep that life from running through our fingers.
God frustrates us. There's no point in denying it, or in merely saying that we frustrate ourselves. But what would we do if He didn't? Would we "frustrate the grace of God" (Gal.2:21) by not seeing our need of His undeserved Presence and help? If God didn't frustrate us with laws and ideals far beyond our ability to live up to, would we ever see our need for the cross, and the Spirit and Presence of Christ? If our Lord didn't keep us enough off balance to grasp for His hand, would we have any desire for the higher and stable ground of eternity? If He didn't let us "hit the wall" of immovable people, would we realise that our calling is not to get other people to come through for us but rather to let them be touched through us by the all-sufficient grace of Christ, whether they change or not?
Father, forgive us for trying to knock down the immovable walls of people and time and circumstance that You have built into our lives. Forgive us for cursing our fear, and frustration, and anger. Forgive us for not letting our frustration bring us to You.
This page was created on 16 April 1998
Last updated on 16 April 1998
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