There are roughly 7 billion people on planet Earth. This may sound like a lot of people until you put it into perspective. In our galaxy alone there could potentially be over 500 million other planets that might be able to sustain life.  Just in the Milky Way! In addition, there are possibly billions of other galaxies in the universe. Billions. So, if there are billions of galaxies that could each possibly have millions of planets that could each have billions of life forms... that's a lot of potential people! When I think of how many people there could be it makes me think 7 billion is not a huge number. We are a small planet in a small galaxy, compared to the rest of the universe. As far as we know we are the only human life in existence. Just us. A tiny grain of sand at the ocean. For some reason, God created a system that holds about 7 billion people at a time on one planet. Have you ever stopped to ponder why? If you are the creator of all and you can do more, why not? 

I think one of the answers to this question is restraint. I'm not claiming to understand the mind of God here, just making one observation. He could have done more, but He didn't. He came to a point of satisfaction and stopped. We know this from Genesis 1. He didn't continue to tinker and rearrange for the next few weeks after creation. He stopped. I believe we see this type of restraint all throughout the Bible. Jesus showed restraint when he turned over the tables of the money changers in the temple, as recorded in Matthew 21. I used to struggle with His actions here and wonder how He could have done such a thing. But now, I'm amazed He didn't do more! He could have blinked His eyes and wiped out the entire city. But He didn't. Each time the disciples asked Him the same questions over and over and over He could have instantly made them mute so He wouldn't have to listen. But He didn't. He could snap a bone in my body each time I sin. But He doesn't. He is a fiercely loving and jealous God who can do anything at any time. But He is tender enough to have restraint. 

This concept of restraint hit me the other day when I was upset with someone. I wanted to lash out and release all of my anger towards them. I came close. Later that day I felt the Lord speak to me about self-control. He reminded me that He, too, shows self-control. He restrains Himself because of His great love for humanity. Of course, it's not hard for Him like it is for me. Even in His correcting of my wrong actions He was gentle and restrained. Such a powerful reminder that just because I can do something, doesn't mean I should. Self-control is more than me just keeping my mouth shut and stewing in silence. It is about recognizing that I follow the Creator of the universe, not the other way around. It's about being led by His example and replacing my will with His. As I marvel at His greatness displayed in the vastness of creation I will listen anew for His still, small voice. I will seek to show restraint whenever possible. Of course, these are only my observations, as I'm only passing through. 

Copyright © Rachel D. Butler and Only Passing Through. All Rights Reserved.

A while back I went into my hall closet to grab some extra napkins. The bag was already opened so I just quickly grabbed a handful and went back into the kitchen. As I was putting the napkins into the napkin holder a roach... yes, a roach... crawled out. Since we do not live in the suburbs, finding insects is fairly common. However, roaches are in a different category. I despise them. I feel personally offended when they get into my house. Anyway, this one time, I found this one roach in my napkins. One time. A year ago. But, can you guess what I now do each and every time I replace the napkins? That's right. I look to make sure there are no roaches hiding between them. Thankfully, there has never been another roach in my napkins. But, because of that one time, I look every time!

One time I was worried about my future, but God was faithful. The next time, I worried again. But God was faithful. And then, I worried yet again! But, to my surprise, God was faithful. I wish my story sounded more like this: one time when I was a little girl I got scared during a thunderstorm. However, God comforted me that night. Ever since then, because of that one time He was there for me, I have never doubted again. But, no. Sadly, I routinely doubt and struggle in my faith. A single roach can change the course of my life, but not God. Ridiculous, but true. 

I was reminded of one of the verses from the old hymn, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, and identify with the author:

So prone to wander. So quick to forget. Yet, He is always faithful! Amazing. My life reflects so many stories of the Lord's faithfulness to me and those I love. Why in the world do I put more expectation on a roach than I do on the Lord Almighty? Why do I remember the effects of a tiny roach more than I do the last time I saw the hand of God in my life? The good news is that now each time I grab a napkin I am reminded of this struggle in my life. The Lord is even faithful enough to use roaches and napkins to teach me life lessons. Today, when you reach for a napkin be reminded of the Lord's work in you over the course of your life. If you see a roach... just step on him. Or, simply chuckle at how the Lord can use such a small thing to show his power. Of course, these are only my thoughts, as I'm only passing through.

I’m convinced that every preacher who has ever lived has taught that faith is like sitting in an empty chair and expecting it to hold your weight. I personally have heard this taught many times and even based my theology of faith on this principle – faith is the invisible support that holds up the chair when I sit down. Simple. Easy to understand, easy to teach. Common knowledge that even a child could understand. So, why did my faith almost come crashing down around me when my world was turned upside down? Why was faith suddenly something foreign and unbelievable when life threw me a curve ball? Why did I so quickly doubt? Because, my friend, faith is not the invisible support that holds up a chair. I was taught half of a truth, therefore had false faith.

The Bible says faith is “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”, according to Hebrews 11:1. Using a chair as an example works for most people. You see the chair, with its four legs, but you have to trust that it will hold you up. This thought process includes a little bit of God, and a little bit of me. It doesn't give God full control, which we usually like. Because you see, you could rely on logic, or physics, or any number of reasoning skills to see that the chair will hold you when you sit. You can even test the chair before sitting down, if you choose. You have that option. I mean, why not test "faith" first to make sure it's real (and sturdy)? But, for some reason, people like to spiritualize the chair’s remarkable ability to provide support, and remind you that you rely on faith every time you take a seat. This is not what scripture teaches! Faith is the conviction of things not seen, not the logical conclusion to what’s right before your eyes. Faith is not always something you can test before you buy. Here’s what I believe faith to be:

You walk into an empty room. No chairs. Then, you hear the still, small voice of the Lord asking you to sit down. You ask, “Where?” He points to an empty space and says, “Right here, in this chair.” This is faith. At this moment you have to believe in something you cannot see. You cannot make logical assumptions based on what is before you. Physics will not help you in this moment. Reasoning skills will not come to your aide. You must, in this moment, rely solely on faith that the Lord will hold you up when you sit. Faith is not the empty chair in front of you, it’s believing there is an empty chair in front of you when you do not see one.

When you find yourself in a hopeless situation and all you have left is a still, small voice in an empty room – rely on faith. When the Lord asks you to believe something that looks impossible – rely on faith. Stepping out into this type of faith is scary and hard at first. We are so used to having something tangible connected to faith. Maybe it’s the testimony of someone else’s difficult situation. Maybe it’s the kind word of a stranger, a random check in the mail, or a Bible verse on a sign. God does use these things! But there may come a time when you find yourself alone in the dark. You may find yourself without the comfort of confirmations from others. You may find yourself needing true faith.

How do you define “faith”? What does it look like in your life? Are you ready to sit in a chair that you can’t see? Of course, these are only my observations… and I’m only passing through.

Copyright © Rachel D. Butler and Only Passing Through. All Rights Reserved.