Your Vision Of God

Your Vision of God

Master, I knew you were a harsh man. . . . I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Matthew 25:24-25

JESUS COMPARED THE KINGDOM OF GOD to a master who entrusted his money to three servants while he was away on a long trip. Two of the servants stewarded his money well, investing it and gaining a profitable return. The other servant was afraid of losing his money and buried it in the ground, avoiding both losses and gains. The master commended the first two stewards for their wisdom but rebuked the third harshly. Why? Because that servant, seeing his master as “a harsh man,” lived in fear. His view of the master inhibited his ability to step out in faith.

Your vision of God matters. It shapes how you live, what you think, the emotions you feel, the freedom (or lack of it) you experience, the joy (or lack of it) that fills your heart, and much, much more. It also affects how you pray and the faith you bring into your prayers. If you see God as a begrudging, hard-hearted master, you will pray small, conservative, tentative prayers. If you see him as a bold investor or extravagant giver who is delighted with your creative stewardship, you will pray big prayers and expect great things.

Many Christians think they are praying to a harsh master, keeping their requests modest, pleading for crumbs from the master’s table. They have forgotten the extravagance of their adoption into the royal family and pray like orphans still hoping to be welcomed in. But our Master is full of joy, able to laugh at his opposition, overflowing with favor for his beloved, passionate toward his people, zealous about his purposes, and willing to defy expectations. His words toward the rebellious and adversarial are harsh, but his words toward those who love him are always tender, inviting, and generous. So why do many who love him pray as though he might respond as an adversary? They have a false picture of his nature. They have forgotten how happy and loving he is. If you want to pray big, faith-filled prayers, adjust your vision of God. Expect great things from him, and he will commend you for your stewardship of his love.

Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.