Saturday, September 12, 2009
She Writes
She writes. Quite articulate. An agnostic. She has come out of the closet actually. And explains why. Got bored with church during her teenage years. She doesn't need religion. Not then. Not now. Not ever.
She refers to God as the "G" word.
But she loves Christmas.
And she breaks my heart.
She equates God with religion. With rules. With regulations. How boring is that? Very.
And that's so not God. God is in to the relationship thing. With me. You. Her.
He's interested in us. Every aspect of our lives. He knows when we stand up. Sit down. Go out. Come back in. He records each time that we cry. Puts our tears in a bottle.
There's nothing about us that He considers insignificant. Or inconsequential. He loves us so much that He stoops to make us great.
When we pray, He moves heaven and earth to answer. He loves us with a love that we barely begin to comprehend.
His love. Captivates. Compels. Convicts.
His love. Perfect. Never disappoints. Never disparages. Never diminishes.
Even when we don't believe. That He exists. That He is good. That we need Him.
Even when we close our minds to Him.
"The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God" (2 Corinthians 4:4).
Even when we refuse to acknowledge His good news.
He loves us.
So much that He sent Jesus Christ. His Son. To die for us.
Because we are sinners. And we need a Savior. We need salvation.
We need someone to love us. The way that only God can love.
Abba. Our loving God. Our living God. Open our minds and hearts to the gospel of Your Son. To His goodness. To His glory. Your Son has overcome the evil one. Protect us by the power that is in the name of Your Son, Jesus. Protect us from the evil one. Separate us by Your truth; Your word is truth. I pray in the precious name of Jesus Christ. The One who died to give us truth. And life. I love you.
Sweet dreams.
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How you've captured His love for us here.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful reminder that everyone needs His love.
ReplyDeleteI know someone like that. We are His reflection until they see Him with open arms waiting to hold them.
A captivating piece,
So glad I've made it past religion to move onto relationship. I'm saddened by the disconnect between the two; I think there is room for both, but one must precede the other. We've spent a great deal of time perfecting our religion to the neglect of the relationship. How thankful I'm am for the Love of God who continues to draw all of humanity unto himself.
ReplyDeletepeace~elaine
You are so right, Deb. It took me years to understand that He's all about relationship -- with little ol' me! ;0) The mother/daughter Bible study my friend Carol and I are writing is all about this! I hope we can help middle school girls learn this now. Would have saved me years of problems! ;0)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, Deb. You have found your voice, my friend! ;0)
Thanks again for your encouragement last week. Meant so much to me. We have to talk again soon! Maybe tomorrow evening?? I'll email you!
Thanks for much for stopping bY 'Pair' Slices today. I really enjoyed your post. It made me thankful that I have a relationship with God. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful words, full of love
ReplyDeleteTHank you.
Love
\
Lidj
Deb,
ReplyDeleteI love that you captured the very essence of God's presence. He exists even though others don't believe in Him. How true it is! Only I pray and hope that those lost souls will one day find Him and open their hearts and believe!
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Oh how I love this post! I love the content and especially how you worded it!!! Just wonderful!!!
ReplyDeleteBTW, I do have you as a Follower of my blog. You appear a couple pages back. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wondrous thing to think upon. A Savior so Mighty yet He loves *me*. He knows *me* by name. He knows every hair on my head. He knew me even before I was born. How awesome is that?!?
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding us all about His love and amazing grace, every time you post. It always makes me stop and think for awhile.
May the God of Wonders bless you this week.
{{Hugs}}
Teresa <><
Ah...the difference between religion and relationship...head and heart...knowledge and knowing.
ReplyDeleteLord, I long for more of You,
Joy
Beautiful. I read the same post you're referring to, and it broke my heart, too. I love her, because she's a child of God, but I so wish I knew what to say to help her see Him as He is.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts.
BEAUTIFUL post Deb. So many wonderful thoughts. It is difficult for a nonbeliever to understand the liberty that we have in Christ.
ReplyDeleteFather, may I pray a comment on this blog as Deb's heart hurts for this woman, so does mine. She has missed the truth that your Word is a very long love letter of how you made a perfect world, we rebelled against your loving authority and wanted to be our own gods, but you didn't stop there. You set out on a grand plan to buy back what was lost...the big meaning of redemption. We have failed as your church to communicate something else and I know the enemy twists what is said as well. Woo her back to you through new language and the complex character of who you are. For your name's sake and own glory I ask you to do this! In Jesus saving power, Amen.
ReplyDeleteYou hit the nail on the head. God is not religion. God is relationship! Until you seek that relationship, you really cannot know God. What a beautiful seed planter you are!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteI came to thank you for the sweet comment you left for me. We just got back from the college drop-off trip.
ReplyDeleteYour post is exactly what I have been trying to explain to my "not-yet-there" loved ones. It's a relationship not a religion. And it is sad when they don't understand it. How can they be so blind? But then I look back and see how I was also blinded...for years. Before God opened my eyes, before he softened my heart, before I finally understood. Yes, it's all about grace. I pray that He does the same for your friend and each and everyone of our loved ones.
this post just breaks my heart too. makes me think of Larry Norman... I'm not religious, I just love the Lord. Oh to spread that love...
ReplyDelete