Beautiful Things

Hi.  My name is Nina, and I am a functional atheist.  As I listened to week 6’s sermon, I could actually feel myself physically sinking lower and lower in my posture as Darrell identified the five signs of functional atheism.  Number one: “Does not consult God about their plans.”  BAM!  Shoulders slumping.  Number two: “Makes conclusions based only on observable facts.”  BAM!  Knees giving out.  Number three: “Lets the end justify the means.”  BAM!  There go the ankles!  And so on.   I am now writing this entry lying flat on the ground.   

It is true, as Darrell points out, “It is in times of deep personal pain…disappointment and fear that we are most vulnerable to functional atheism.”  It is when I feel that sense of being passed over by God that the atheism flares in my life.  Why everyone else God, but not me?  What am I doing wrong?  Don’t you see that I am trying here?  Haven’t I waited long enough?  Aren’t you listening???  Ephesians 2:4-5 :But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions…”

I couldn’t help but think that after all the poor decisions Abraham and Sara made and after all the times I have been impatient with God and tried to help Him along, he still makes beautiful things out of us. 

All this pain

I wonder if I'll ever find my way?

I wonder if my life could really change at all?

All this earth

Could all that is lost ever be found?

Could a garden come up from this ground at all?

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of the dust

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of us

 

All around

Hope is springing up from this old ground

Out of chaos life is being found in You

 

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of the dust

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of us