Last night I was having one of those conversations with my 7th grade daughter. You know...the kind I have been warned would be coming; the kind with all the deep questions that most people don't want to answer. Maybe I am weird, but I LOVE those conversations! Go ahead, ask me about sex and boys and popularity and God and hell and stuff...BRING IT!
I like to go deep...talk about deep things that really matter, so this was my kind of convo.
At one point we were talking about the way God puts boundaries around our lives in order to spare us from hurt, pain and regret. It was at this point that my daughter said, "yeah, he looks at me and can't wait to (pushes a finger into the top of the bed) go Squish!"
I wanted to say, "Nu-uh! God is so not like that!" but then it occurred to me that I used to think that way too. So I told her as much.
"You know, I used to think that God was just waiting for me to mess up too, but then I learned that he's much nicer than that."
And it's true, He is much nicer than that. In Psalm 50:21 God says, "You thought I was altogether like you", because we often think that He is just like the people who can be mean, vindictive, punishing and abusive - only He's bigger and older. But God shows us through His word that He's so much different than us - so unlike us.
I know there have been times I've waited for my kids to screw up; sometimes it was because I couldn't wait to try out a new discipline technique. But I admit, I've done it. I've grown so weary of chronic bad behavior from them I do come down hard and unforgiving. Have my kids seen my past harshness and relate it the way they think God is? Maybe. Upon further deep thinking on the matter; knowing that this is an area many people struggle with, I don't think the perceived harshness and fear of reprisal is the main issue. I think we wonder, deep down inside, "Does God like me?"
I know, I know, the Bible says "God is love" - you bet. Does He like me? The Bible says "He is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness" (Exodus 34:6-7), but does he like me?
I have experienced first hand the love-you-don't-like-you phenomenon. You know, those family members who "love" you because you are family, but they don't have any desire to hang out? You know, those friends and church family people who "love you in the Lord", but have never bothered to have a conversation with you or invite you to dinner, or treat you with out-of-sight-out-of-mind indifference? (Is it just me?)
Man, I want to be liked. I want people to think I am funny, to want to spend time with me and to be interested in me as a person.
So, with that in mind, does God like me...and how would I even know since it's not like I can reach out and throw my arm around his shoulder.
It all centers around "delight".
Years ago I asked the Lord to do something that would delight me...I mean, really knock my socks off and let me know He's thinking about me and delights in me. After I finished praying I felt in my inner self (my spirit) the Lord saying, "Go sweep the back porch". Wha???
So, I went out and swept the back porch and as I was sweeping the broom struck something big and clunky...a rock. I reached down and picked up the rock, turned it in my hand, and saw a heart. A rock shaped into a heart which had somehow made it's way onto my back porch. I began to weep. It seems so small - and could be cast off as coincidental (if you believe in that sort of thing); for me it was a gift...a token of how much God likes me.
Since that time the Lord has presented me with heart rocks everywhere I go: mission trips, speaking events, conferences, vacations etc. I have a big jar full of them.
I like to go deep...talk about deep things that really matter, so this was my kind of convo.
At one point we were talking about the way God puts boundaries around our lives in order to spare us from hurt, pain and regret. It was at this point that my daughter said, "yeah, he looks at me and can't wait to (pushes a finger into the top of the bed) go Squish!"
I wanted to say, "Nu-uh! God is so not like that!" but then it occurred to me that I used to think that way too. So I told her as much.
"You know, I used to think that God was just waiting for me to mess up too, but then I learned that he's much nicer than that."
And it's true, He is much nicer than that. In Psalm 50:21 God says, "You thought I was altogether like you", because we often think that He is just like the people who can be mean, vindictive, punishing and abusive - only He's bigger and older. But God shows us through His word that He's so much different than us - so unlike us.
I know there have been times I've waited for my kids to screw up; sometimes it was because I couldn't wait to try out a new discipline technique. But I admit, I've done it. I've grown so weary of chronic bad behavior from them I do come down hard and unforgiving. Have my kids seen my past harshness and relate it the way they think God is? Maybe. Upon further deep thinking on the matter; knowing that this is an area many people struggle with, I don't think the perceived harshness and fear of reprisal is the main issue. I think we wonder, deep down inside, "Does God like me?"
I know, I know, the Bible says "God is love" - you bet. Does He like me? The Bible says "He is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness" (Exodus 34:6-7), but does he like me?
I have experienced first hand the love-you-don't-like-you phenomenon. You know, those family members who "love" you because you are family, but they don't have any desire to hang out? You know, those friends and church family people who "love you in the Lord", but have never bothered to have a conversation with you or invite you to dinner, or treat you with out-of-sight-out-of-mind indifference? (Is it just me?)
Man, I want to be liked. I want people to think I am funny, to want to spend time with me and to be interested in me as a person.
So, with that in mind, does God like me...and how would I even know since it's not like I can reach out and throw my arm around his shoulder.
It all centers around "delight".
Years ago I asked the Lord to do something that would delight me...I mean, really knock my socks off and let me know He's thinking about me and delights in me. After I finished praying I felt in my inner self (my spirit) the Lord saying, "Go sweep the back porch". Wha???
So, I went out and swept the back porch and as I was sweeping the broom struck something big and clunky...a rock. I reached down and picked up the rock, turned it in my hand, and saw a heart. A rock shaped into a heart which had somehow made it's way onto my back porch. I began to weep. It seems so small - and could be cast off as coincidental (if you believe in that sort of thing); for me it was a gift...a token of how much God likes me.
Since that time the Lord has presented me with heart rocks everywhere I go: mission trips, speaking events, conferences, vacations etc. I have a big jar full of them.
Some, like the one in this picture from India, couldn't come home with me, but were just as thrilling to find.
I am convinced that the Lord wants to show each one of us that he not only loves us, but he really does like us too. Why don't you ask Him to show you, in your own special way, that He likes you; then be ready for it!
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