Sometimes the most difficult thing to see is the thing right in front of us.
Romans 1: 20-21 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened
This is a part of a letter Paul wrote to the Romans, more specifically the church in Rome. He clearly thought they were missing the boat. I wonder how Paul’s letter to the Nebraskans might read. It’s ironic that Paul lamented so long ago the fact that although man could have clearly seen the evidence of God all around him they still failed to recognize and appreciate it and we’re still doing that today.
I wasn’t around Rome in those days but it sounds pretty wooly. I don’t think the same is necessarily true today in good ‘ol Nebraska but I imagine it is in some places. Maybe Rome was more like Vegas than it was like Nebraska. Regardless of that fact, I have to wonder if we know God about like the Romans did (except without the slot machines)?
Sometimes I think we get it in our heads that being apart from something or someone gives us some sort of twisted, plausible deniability. According to Paul the Romans didn’t have that. He says they knew God. Do we? The Romans had eyes, we have eyes. All the evidence that was around back then is still around today. So they had all the opportunities to know God’s invisible qualities just as we do today. Still the results oftentimes are the same. We don’t do the things we ought to do nor give credit and thanks where we should.
Further along in the chapter Paul goes on to rather graphically detail the depths to which the Romans had sunk and how their lives had become apursuit of unnatural, carnal gratification. (Almost made me blush until I thought that even though today dogs and cats aren’t living together we still serve our created things before our creator) What do you say we switch that around? After all, every day is made by Him and our command is merely to give thanks and give glory where it’s deserved.
The Everyday Question: What are you missing that’s right in front of your eyes?
If you liked this and would like to get an email once a week with links to that week’s posts, click here. It’s free and please don’t worry, I won’t share your email with anyone else.
Want to read more? Click this to go back to the home page.