How Big is God? How Little are We?

The many biblical references to pride and humility have led me to make the following observations about God and Scripture:

Regarding God:

—God is God. God is really big. I am not. Compared to God, I am really small. He loves me and gave himself for me, but that only emphasizes how far he and his ways are above me. Flat on my face before him seems to be a good position!

Regarding Scripture:

— “Read with a submissive attitude. Read with a readiness to surrender all you are—all your plans, opinions, possessions, positions. Study as intelligently as possible, with all available means, but never study merely to find the truth and especially not just to prove something. Subordinate your desire to find the truth to do it, to act it out!” (Dallas Willard)

—I happen to be convinced that the Bible is a very human book, with the same characteristics I see in myself and others, such as blind spots and cultural limitations. But I also believe that a very big, very real God breathes through every word of those forty-some very small, very real human authors. Thus their writing is God’s Word, trustworthy and authoritative. That is why I believe we should always approach it in the way Dallas Willard suggests.
 

Below are some bookmarks I use in my Bible to remind me of what's important.

 [This is the third in a series of posts excerpted from the “personal conclusion” to my booklet, “30 Meditations for the Proud” February 2013. To receive a free electronic copy, email me at daniellesliepeterson@gmail.com]