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God's Intrusiveness
Brian Mashburn
December 16, 2007
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The Intrusiveness of God
My wife and I just wanted to get my kids teeth looked at by a dentist to be sure everything was okay. I heard of a very generous dentist here in town who give significant discounts to minister's families, and so my wife called him up. Much to our joy, he gave us his immediate attention, was ready to give us the "minister's deal," and eager to do what was best for my kids. In every way, this is a very good deal for us.
There was just one condition that he asked. He wants nothing short of my complete faith and trust. In practical terms, that means he won't just see my kids and care for them, he requires that my wife and I see him, too. It also means that for us to get his attention at his expense, we are required to do everything he prescribes.
Wow. So...to receive his gift, it must be on His terms. Our new dentist is sort of intruding on some of the freedom of choice that we are used to having. However, the combination of 1) he's giving us his attention at his expense and 2) he is sure he knows what is best for my family's teeth gives him the right.
This is pretty much what we see happen in the book of Exodus. Chapter 2 ends with a very good deal for the people of God. They cry out, and he gives them his immediate attention and is eager to do what is best for his "kids". But in chapters 3 and 4 we find out there is one condition that he has. He wants nothing short of their complete faith and trust. He's going to demand that they participate in their own liberation; that they embark on risky and dangerous obedience, having nothing to depend on but his promise that it will work out for their good.
Wow. So...to receive his gift, it must be on His terms. He starts with intruding on Moses and Aaron, which intrudes on their families, which will intrude on the Israelites, which will intrude on Pharaoh and the Egyptian people, which will end up intruding on "how things are" in the whole world.
Our God is an intrusive God, and calls us to be an intrusive people, in order to bring about liberation and rescue. You want God's attention? Be careful what you ask for. He won't leave things like they are, and he won't allow you to dictate what He's allowed to change.