Who are we?

“Where were you when the foundation of the earth was laid? Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, when He made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band?

Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place?  Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep? Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? Declare, if you know all this.

Where is the way to the dwelling of light, and where is the place of darkness, that you may take it to its territory and that you may discern the paths to its home?
Who has cleft a channel for the torrents of rain and a way for the thunderbolt, to bring rain on a land where no man is, on the desert in which there is no man, to satisfy the waste and desolate land, and to make the ground sprout with grass?

Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you establish their rule on the earth? Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that a flood of waters may cover you? Who has put wisdom in the inward parts or given understanding to the mind? Can you hunt the prey for the lion, or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, when they crouch in their dens or lie in wait in their thicket? Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God for help, and wander about for lack of food?

Will you even put God in the wrong? Will you condemn Him that you may be in the right?
Have you an arm like God, and can you thunder with a voice like his?

Adorn yourself with majesty and dignity; clothe yourself with glory and splendor. Pour out the overflowing of your anger, and look on everyone who is proud and abase him.  Look on everyone who is proud and bring him low and tread down the wicked where they stand.  Hide them all in the dust together; bind their faces in the world below. Then will He also acknowledge to you that your own right hand can save you.”

Who am I to judge the Perfect One who lowered Himself to death on a Cross for my sins?  Who am I to worry, to be busy, to want, to request or to demand?  Who am I to think I can hide, be alone, celebrate my independence and righteousness, or refuse God?  Who am I to hate His people, being too busy to think, care or talk to them?  Who am I to tell Him his commandments are too hard, not enjoyable, burdensome or constricting? Who am I to think that I can hide my idols from him?

Am I the only one who struggles?  If not, why is there no one else that will talk about it?  I am continually shamed by my incessant pride and stubbornness, and He is my only comfort.  Is there no one else who can understand my joy; no one else I can talk to?  Is it so tiring and difficult for us to love the process of sanctification and share in the joy of the work Christ is doing through the Holy Spirit in us?  I am tired and beaten down from the pain of my body, constantly reminded of the work He finished.  Can no one else understand the pain is not a burden but rather a chance to understand and rejoice in my Salvation?  Am I really alone?  Why can’t we understand the freedom we have in Him?  Why do we avoid the pain and hurt, allowing it to trap us? 

We’re loved.  Not by each other, but by Him.  Be free!