I'm not sure if a place called GraceReign should rant.
But I can't help it. I keep getting the same button pushed.
It happened again tonight on facebook. A big sign on my homepage, posted by a friend, read, "You're as Close to God as You Want to Be."
Last week it was a similar sentiment, "If you aren't close to God, who moved?"
Really, people?
Think about this. How do such things help anyone draw closer to God? There are several things that inhibit a loving, free-flowing relationship with our LORD. One really high on the list is guilt--never feeling good enough to be close to God. Another one is pride--thinking we can EARN His favor.
Both of those fb posts seem (to me) to be saying, "Get your act together! Work harder at being a Christian. Then you can feel Him."
Here's what I say. We have a God who promises to NEVER leave or forsake us. Scripture says He dwells within us. That He goes before us, comes behind us, and surrounds us on every side. He says He will BE WITH us unto the end of the world.
Does that sound like a God you can walk away from?
To pound on sayings like the two above is to pour on the guilt to well-meaning Christians--and to fed the arrogance of our pride. To make this beautiful relationship with our Savior about how hard we work at it.
God never said, "I'm close as long as you do your daily devotions, never get distracted, turn from sin, and eat your wheaties."
Instead He says things like, I AM HERE. Always.
EVERY good gift comes from the Father. HE did the work of reconciliation, drawing us to Himself by the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. Whether He "feels" close or far away, He is always close to the believer.
Frankly, we're not big enough to move away from God.
We can forget He's there. We can ignore His presence. But we can never move away from Him. He has us in the palm of HIS hand.
Yes, I recommend calling out to Jesus and asking Him to reveal Himself more intimately to you every day. But do it from a treasured, safe place of knowing He is right there with you every moment. Do it with joy, embracing the reality of His surrounding Presence and never-ending attention. Let the reality of a God who lovingly indwells you you sink deeper into your heart. Remember that He walks with you every step of the way. Come to Him understanding that He's already come to you.
He's never gone away and He never will.
8 comments:
Paula,
Thank you for ranting! Thank you for reminding me of just how big God truly is. My daddy passed away last Sunday, and his memorial service is tomorrow. I know that I am in the palm of God's hand, even though I feel a void right now.
Great post!
Cheri
i agree on you on this paula. and you know what, even christians can be tricked by the enemy. the enemy can use even christians to say or do something for him that's why we as christians should be very careful. but even if we get into sin sometimes, God never said He would leave us.
i am saying this because just last night, just when i was rejoicing over a confirmation God gave me, came these two "friends" attacking me over my stand and one of them even said, "you're crazy".
i knew that was another attack from the enemy trying to take away my joy.
i think it's okay to rant sometimes. besides, we are real people with real emotions.
God bless you, paula.
Thank you for ranting!!! AMEN. I don't think God called us to be striving saints, just his kids. I would be so upset if my kids were perpetually trying to please me and prove themselves worthy of my love, and worse, trying to outdo each other the way we do in the church!
Terrific post, Paula!
thanks all! I've experience such pain striving to be good enough to be close to God and such joy after He set me free from all that. It just breaks my heart when we say things that put such weight on each other.
Amen, Sister.
True, that! Preach it sister!
Thanks for sharing your heart and perspective, Paula. I love your tenderness and concern for all of us to know the love and grace of God! Can't have too much of that! :)
I've had a different perspective when I read posts like that. I find it comforting to remember that God never "moves" away from us. And I also find it a good reminder to know that I can be more or less "present" with him sometimes, depending on my circumstances and schedule. Maybe I'm the only one, but I easily forget to simply stop, listen and savor sometimes. And then when I start feeling ragged and worn, a reminder feels like a breath of fresh air, a gentle nudge to move closer to what really matters and what is ready and waiting for me. I feel the same way when other moms encourage me to occasionally stop being so task-oriented and simply sit and enjoy being with my kids.
Just another perspective. Thanks for your yours. :) Certainly something to consider, and a good reminder to be oh-so-careful with what we post and say. We're all trying to do the best we can, and encouragement goes a long way.
Michele,
Thanks for adding to our discussion here. I'm glad you can receive those sayings as a gentle reminder to be present with the LORD. Maybe more people do than I think . . .
I suppose I'd rather see a post that says something like: Breathe for a moment. Remember He's right there with you.
Something that focuses on His continual love and presence even as it redirects us to pay attention.
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