New Book "Enthroned Above the Circle of the Earth" Illuminates God’s Timeless Process of Creation and Personal Transformation Author Kyeme Chacon Reveals a Powerful, Faith-Building Journey Through the Genesis Creation Narrative In a world filled with uncertainty and change, author Kyeme Chacon invites readers into the steady, sovereign rhythm of God’s creation process in his new book, Enthroned Above the Circle of the Earth . More than a commentary on Genesis, this compelling work explores how the same divine process that formed the world continues to shape individual lives today. Through biblical insight, real-life testimony, and thought-provoking reflections, Chacon uncovers the sacred pattern of God’s hand—from chaos to order, from darkness to light, from brokenness to dominion. “This book was born out of transformation,” Chacon writes, “and my goal is to illuminate the pattern—to show that God’s process is still in motion and that your life is being shaped by it.” Whethe...
A Reflection on Posture, Performance, and the God Who Is Merciful
There is a question Jesus keeps putting in front of us — not to shame us, but to free us:
Am I approaching God like Martha… or like Mary?
Like the Pharisee… or like the tax collector?
Because the more we meditate on these two stories, the more we see they are mirrors — two witnesses revealing the same truth:
God isn’t moved by our performance.
He’s moved by our posture.
1. The Pharisee and the Tax Collector: Transaction vs. Trust
Jesus tells this parable to people “who trusted in themselves that they were righteous.”
The Pharisee stood before God with a résumé:
I fast twice a week
I give tithes
I’m not like “other men”
His entire approach was transactional:
“This is why God should listen to me.
This is why God should bless me.
This is why I’m accepted.
This is why I’m righteous.”
But the tax collector approached God differently:
He brought no résumé, no justification, no evidence of worthiness.
He simply said:
“God, be merciful to me.”
He didn’t ask God to look at him.
He asked God to be Himself toward him.
And according to God’s own proclamation in Exodus 34 —
Merciful is exactly who He is.
The tax collector aligned himself with God’s nature, not his own works.
And Jesus says something breathtaking:
“This man went home justified.”
If he went home justified…
then he was called,
he was predestined,
and he will be glorified.
(See Romans 8:30.)
2. Martha and Mary: A Living Picture of the Same Truth
Luke 18 gives us the parable.
Luke 10 gives us the picture.
Martha is not “wrong” because she served.
Serving is good.
Hospitality is good.
But her heart begins to drift into the same subtle place the Pharisee stood:
“Lord, don’t You care that I’m doing all this?
Tell Mary to help me.”
Or said another way:
“This is why You should listen to us.
This is why You should bless us.”
Martha, like the Pharisee, appeals to her performance.
Mary, like the tax collector, appeals to Jesus Himself.
She sits at His feet with nothing to prove, nothing to offer, nothing to justify —
just hunger, just dependence, just desire for Him.
And Jesus says:
“Mary has chosen the good portion,
and it will not be taken from her.”
3. The Revelation Beneath Both Stories
Here is what the Spirit keeps showing us:
**God blesses likeness, not labor.
He responds to image, not activity.
He fills hunger, not self-sufficiency.**
When Adam examined all the animals, none were suitable — especially the cattle, which represented transaction. Throughout Scripture, cattle are linked to offerings, sacrifices, and exchanges — things we give in hopes of receiving something in return. They serve a purpose, but they do not share man's nature. They cannot reflect him, fellowship with him, or walk with him.
The one who was suitable — the one who carried his blessing — was the one created in his image. God blessed humanity, not because of performance, but because of likeness. Blessing flows from shared nature, not from transaction.
The Pharisee brings “cattle” to God —
transactions, offerings, works.
The tax collector brings himself —
empty, honest, and dependent on God’s nature.
Martha brings her activity.
Mary brings her attention.
One comes busy.
The other comes hungry.
One comes with a résumé.
The other comes with need.
And Jesus makes it clear:
Only one posture aligns with Heaven.
4. The Danger of Subtle Self-Trust
There is nothing wrong with good works:
Fasting is good.
Giving is good.
Serving is good.
Avoiding sin is good.
But the moment our heart whispers:
“This is why God should listen to us…”
“This is why God should bless us…”
“This is why we’re accepted…”
“This is why we’re righteous…”
Performance has become an idol.
We’ve slipped into self-trust.
And self-trust always seeks to control God —
whether by comparison (“I’m not like them”)
or by complaint (“Lord, don’t You care?”)
Mary and the tax collector show us a better way:
“We have nothing to offer You but ourselves —
and You have everything in Yourself to offer us.”
That is the gospel.
5. So… Am I Mary, or Martha?
If we’re honest, many of us discover we are both.
We slide between humility and self-trust, hunger and hurry, surrender and striving.
But Jesus keeps calling us:
“Come sit at My feet.
Come receive from Me.
Come trust Me to be who I AM.”
God isn’t coming after our performance.
He’s coming after our posture.
He isn’t impressed with what we bring.
He’s moved by who we trust.
And when we come like the tax collector…
when we come like Mary…
We go home justified.
We choose the good portion.
We receive what cannot be taken from us.
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