Over Thinking

I have been blessed with a wonderful education, and, like Moses, I too am a thinker. This sometimes gets in the way of my faith. Thinkers want answers. They seek scientific proof for everything. Lesson two, to allow us to prosper, regardless of the fact that time is inexorable, is Don’t Over Think. Our over thinking can get in the way of our faith. With many of the more difficult questions of life, we just need to trust God.

Burning Bush

It is not surprising that when God appeared in the burning bush, Moses went to investigate. A true thinker, he wanted to understand what kept the flame burning without consuming the bush. So, like a scientist, Moses went to investigate, which provided the opportunity for God to give him the mission to lead God’s people out of their misery in the land of Egypt. 

“The Lord said, ‘I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey.’”

Exodus 3:7-8

As a thinker, Moses’ investigation brought this response to God:

 “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”

Exodus 3:13

I can guess that Moses expected a precise answer from God. Perhaps, something like: “I am Zeus, god of thunder. Here is a thunder bolt to show the people as a sign.” Instead, God simply answered Moses:

“I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”

Exodus 3:14

Prepared

God had prepared Moses for this mission, providing him with all the knowledge and wisdom of the Egyptians, but all of this knowledge would not allow Moses to understand God. Therefore, in answer to Moses’ question, God said, “Stop over thinking. You are not going to understand everything. Just say to them that ‘I am’ has sent you.”

Don’t get me wrong, I believe in education and learning. I agree with a truth expressed by President Jimmy Carter.

“God has given us intelligence and the ability, maybe even the responsibility or obligation, to learn all that we can and to develop our talents. God has given us these gifts so that we can be used to accomplish his purpose on this earth.”

President Jimmy Carter

Over Thinking Is Like Shadowboxing

In Ephesians, Paul explains that God has given us talents and roles to build up and equip the people of God for service. We have been commissioned by God to accomplish his purpose during this time and in this place. Jesus has ordained us to be his hands and feet. 

As a thinker, I try to think through everything that I don’t understand. It is like I’m shadowboxing, fighting myself, and wondering why I’m not winning. How can this be true? Does God really hear us? Is he really working all things for our good. I often can’t see God working things out. So, I begin over thinking, trying to come to a logical answer. Luckily, God is forgiving and merciful and chooses to embrace me rather than to fight.

Are you inexorable? While time is inexorable, you and I don’t have to be. We can learn.

Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear

Also, see Victorious Living.