July 18: Insight Post by Karenna Rowenhorst
Weekly Reading: John 3:1-21
Friday Reflection
Peace in Uncertainty: God’s peace guards our hearts when we trust in Him.
Friday Verse
Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you His peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NLT)
Friday Questions
In what area of my life do I need to trust God for peace, especially in moments of uncertainty? How can I rely on God’s peace to guard my heart in every situation I face this week?
Friday Insight Post
by Karenna Rowenhorst
I’ve been reading the book Steps by John Ortberg, which is organized around the 12 Steps of Recovery. I just finished the chapter on Step 2: “We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” This step reflects the struggle that I believe Nicodemus faced in John chapter 3. He opens his discussion with Jesus by saying, “Sir, we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miracles are proof enough of this.” John 3:2 On Wednesday, Rusty talked about the humility that Nicodemus possessed. His curiosity and humility allowed him to ask questions and seek out the truth about Jesus. This is a crucial posture for Jesus followers to take. But what was Nicodemus really after? Why was he asking to know more about Jesus and who he is?
I think Nicodemus went to Jesus at night not only to keep his conversation secret, but maybe because he couldn’t sleep well, wondering who this messenger from God really was. He was seeking a genuine understanding of Jesus and felt restless as uncertainty brewed inside him. I think the “restoring us to sanity” mentioned in step 2 of the recovery principles looks like the peace we find in Jesus.
Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV)
The peace that Jesus offers is at a deeper level than just thinking, “my life feels calm.” In fact, our lives can be full of ups and downs, yet we can still feel peace if our peace comes from knowing Jesus and what He has done for us. John Ortberg quotes the theologian Dallas Willard, who described the major theme of all the Bible as the offer of a “with-God life.” Peace reigns when we know we will not be alone or afraid when we choose the “with-God” life. This looks like a life built on the foundation of Jesus, but also the walls, the roof, the electrical system, the plumbing…a with-God life doesn’t leave anything out.
What can make this peace crumble? We know the truth, we want the “with-God” life, but we may still have doubts. Perhaps we have formed beliefs about God that are not entirely accurate. Without a true picture of God, we will not be able to grow closer to God. In the book Steps, John offers some common doubts that we face when we are trying to understand who God is and what role He has in our lives:
Doubting that God Has Power – sometimes I think God may have the power to change others, but not me. I read stories in the Bible about what God has done, and I think that kind of power was only in the past.
Doubting that God Is Good – maybe we look at all the suffering and devastation in our world and conclude that God must not be very good if He allows all this pain.
Doubting that God Intervenes – some of us might feel that God is far away from us and wouldn’t bother to get involved with all of us humans on a daily basis.
Doubting That God Exists – sometimes we may not be sure that God is real. We may fear that there is nothing beyond what we can see and experience in this life.
I hope you can take time today to reflect on this list and see where you find yourself with these doubts. Pray and ask God to reveal your doubts and be honest about them. God is more than willing to show us who He is, let’s be honest with Him about what we are thinking.
The crux of the conversation with Nicodemus is the verses John 3:16-17, “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.”
God is here.
God loves you.
God is working to save you.
Karenna Rowenhorst, MA
Senior Director of Education
New Hope Church
Lorton, Virginia
www.newhope.org