Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Studying Romans


I am amazed at the various moods I can take on. Not just throughout the month, or the week, but throughout one single DAY! I have met a few steady and constant people in my life. Its not to say that they are "better" than us more moody folks, but it sure is nice to always know what to expect from them. Yes, they too have their moments, but they aren't like my moments, which change with the wind. THAT is something I am working on. It has progressed over the years and I continue to move towards being a more emotionally steady person. But cut me some slack....I'm female! haha

Why talk about this? Isn't this blog's title about studying Romans? YES! I am constantly amazed at God's faithfulness as seen in Romans. Paul does such an incredible job of repeating in various examples how the Lord did save me (justification), continues to save me (sanctification) and will one day complete his salvation work in His second coming when I am forever changed into the absolute image of Christ (glorification)!

Paul also quotes Isaiah in Romans 10 when he reminds Israel that "all day long I [God] have stretched out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people." There he stands, despite my contstant fight for control over my own life and my constant mood change, waiting for me to recognize that HIS ways are FAR BETTER than MINE! My heart can't help but recognize its selfishness while my Spirit sees God's hand at work and hears His voice saying "trust me Zoe"!

Since the news of my fallen support, I have researched various ways that I can, upon return to the States, make it 'on my own'. NOT SO! He has ALWAYS been faithful to me, even when I "was still a sinner". And so what has changed? Why is it all of the sudden up to me to save myself financially? ITS NOT! That's not to say I sit around on my rear and wait for some happy miracle where 1 million dollars will just fall into my lap. Of course not! But I can trust that God WILL provide...either through raised support, or a part-time job, or whichever other way I can't imagine that He already has set in place.

And so I am encouraged today to recognize that the Lord has been standing there with outstretched arms waiting for me to crawl back in His lap and say "Ok God, DO YOUR THING!"
How about you? Are you running out of yourself trying to work out your own "salvation"?

All I can say is...thank you God for Romans! hah! (and the the rest of the Bible too of course)

"...the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'the just shall live by faith'"
Romans 1:17

2 comments:

aaron-das said...

Awesome post babe...I was listening to your singing while reading your blog and it made it that much peaceful and relaxing to read. I'm so proud of you honey...tons of love!

mikepettengill said...

Zoe rocks and Romans rocks...miss you