The Great God Experiment: Phase 2

On Tuesday last week, Denise told me to read Psalm 66. I did, and it was a Godsend. Verses 8-12 especially encouraged me:

Praise our God, O peoples,
let the sound of his praise be heard;
he has preserved our lives
and kept our feet from slipping.
For you, O God, tested us;
you refined us like silver.
You brought us into prison
and laid burdens on our backs.
You let men ride over our heads;
we went through fire and water,
but you brought us to a place of abundance.


This morning, I searched my NIV Study Bible's concordance for 'illegitimate,' in an attempt to find the phrase 'Abraham's illegitimate children.' If I remember correctly, either Jesus or the teachers of the law said those words during one of their encounters. Instead, the search brought me to Hebrews 12.

As I read the passage in context, I sensed a new challenge ahead: the challenge to bring the Great God Experiment into Phase 2.

Hebrews 12:1-13 goes;

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:

"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.


I have chosen Steven Curtis Chapman's 'Bring It On' as the theme song for this phase.

I didn't come lookin' for trouble
And I don't want to fight needlessly
But I'm not gonna hide in a bubble
If trouble comes for me
I can feel my heart beating faster
I can tell something's coming down
But if it's gonna make me grow stronger then...

Bring it on
Let the lightning flash, let the thunder roll, let the storm winds blow
Bring it on
Let the trouble come, let the hard rain fall, let it make me strong
Bring it on

Now, maybe you're thinkin' I'm crazy
And maybe I need to explain some things
'Cause I know I've got an enemy waiting
Who wants to bring me pain
But what he never seems to remember
What he means for evil God works for good
So I will not retreat or surrender

Bring it on
Let the lightning flash, let the thunder roll, let the storm winds blow
Bring it on
Let the trouble come, let the hard rain fall, let it make me strong
Bring it on

Now, I don't want to sound like some hero
'Cause it's God alone that my hope is in
But I'm not gonna run from the very things
That would drive me closer to Him
So bring it on

Bring it on
Let the lightning flash, let the thunder roll, let the storm winds blow
Bring it on
Let the trouble come, let it make me fall on the One who's strong
Bring it on
Let the lightning flash, let the thunder roll, let the storm winds blow
Bring it on
Let me be made weak so I'll know the strength of the One who's strong
Bring it on
Bring it on


But unlike two weeks ago, when I set certain goals, like the poem and not blogging, this week I cannot think of any. Yet somehow I know it will be an eventful week, one which is very likely to bring with it many surprises, some welcome and some not.

I can only pray for God's grace and strength to see me through. And I shall use poetry in prayer: to voice my thoughts and hopes and fears, and to express the 'unforced rhythms of grace' in words. For that is what Runa reminded me of last week; indeed, that is what NSCF 2005 will always remind me of.

Phase 2 leads on into uncharted terrain, and the only hope I have is the One who already sees all things. By His grace, I will not 'run from the very things that would drive me closer to Him.'


'Twas a fruitful day with Yen. She found the Pride and Prejudice VCD, and I picked up Elton John's Greatest Hits (special DVD + 2 CDs edition). Finally, I get to hear 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road' properly. Great song.