Pastor Troy's Column

Do your best, and then sleep in peace. God is awake.

"He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep." Psalm 121:3-4

I was reading an article about Albert Einstein the other day. In the text were some of the things that modern society has attributed to the brilliant scientist that in actuality he never said. One of the phrases was, “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”

I’ve used that phrase with committees when trying to change an order of worship. With my wife in justifying moving the living room furniture around. And with my boys while explaining the benefits of a clean room. I’ll probably still use it to justify my overzealous need for change. But just won’t tell anyone Einstein didn’t say it.

I was thinking about that phrase when I read Micah 7:18 which says, “He doesn’t hold on to his anger forever; he delights in faithful love.”

Every day we go to God and we ask for forgiveness of our sins. Very rarely do we ever say to God what those sins are. We act as if a blanket, “forgive us our sins” phrase in our prayer has solved everything. I mean after all, we’ve prayed! Which is more than Ol’ Joe down the street did! (I really hope I don’t have a neighbor named Joe.)

The more I thought about it the more I came to the conclusion that if insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, then thank goodness we worship an insane God!

Every day and every night God hears our prayers. Every day and every night God hears, “forgive us of our sins.” And every day and every night God offers forgiveness. Time and time again. Day after day. Week after week. Year after year. Lifetime after lifetime. Over and over God hears the same prayer. And over and over again God offers forgiveness.

Which made me wonder. Does God expect a different result?

Is there a point in time in which God thinks, “Will this guy ever stop sinning?”

Will we ever reach a moment in life that we have been perfected by grace, freed from sin and see the world through the eyes of Christ? Will we ever learn to give of ourselves graciously and instead of seeking worldly things chase after the goodness of God?

I hope so.

I hope that there will come a day when I will pray for forgiveness and God will look down and say, “Your faith has made you whole.”

But until that day comes, I’ll just keep on keeping on. I’ll ask for forgiveness and God will gleefully offer grace. If that’s insanity, then it won’t be the first time I’ve been called harebrained.

Let us pray.

Our great and gracious God. You astound us each day. Each day we fall short of your glory and each day you offer to us forgiveness. We know that you have plans for us. Plans that do not include sin. We ask that you will perfect us in your grace and guide us with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit so that we can live the life you have for us. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.