Wildness connotes an inability to be tamed. I can go with that. It also connotes a fierce independence. I hold no exception to that, either. It implies ferocity and unpredictability – that’s where it starts to get a little uncomfortable. Wildness suggests cunning and perseverance – my heart does not hesitate long on that. It implies an ability to be alone, and lonely. It suggests an ability to be silent and still. Hmmmm…
God’s Word says that we are created in His image, by Him and for Him. What does this wild characteristic of Him say about us?
Let’s look at the adjectives as a list:
- Inability to be tamed
- Fierce independence
- Ferocity
- Unpredictability
- Cunning
- Perseverance
- Ability to be alone
- Loneliness
- Silence
- Stillness
Now, that’s a God I can relate to. That’s a God I can trust. That’s a God I can depend on to protect and defend and to love…
I had a slight altercation with the reverend after my cousin’s funeral. Not only did I feel like this man had the audacity to judge my cousin’s heart, but the god he tried to introduce to my grieving family was dry as dust, cold and uncaring, sitting somewhere on a throne, looking down with boredom and not wanting to be bothered. He offered absolutely no hope to my grieving family, and I was pierced at their level of grief. I don’t know who his god is, but he’s not my God. My God is all these things listed above and so much more. This is a man that I have to trust to minister and speak Truth to my family... let me just say that I don't have much peace about that.
What’s the deal – who came up with – the phrase “personal relationship with God”? Can we erase that phrase from the books, please? My family looked back at the reverend with absolute blank stares and no hope – no desire to meet this god, much less have a “personal relationship” with him… can I tell you that I have never been so… horrified to be associated by the label of Christian to this man and his god. Religion sucks.
I was having a hard time figuring out how this was going to tie in to today’s Scripture. As always, it wraps back around beautifully: Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
It is my belief that evangelical zealots, or dry as dust reverands - do more damage to the world’s perception of the Church than good. That belief stems from being screamed at on college campuses by well-meaning(?) “Christians” and “convicted” churches that target bars or teenage hangouts, or anywhere, for that matter. What happened to just living it out, boldly and without fear or judgment? What happened to His call to LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS – not scream in their faces, for crying out loud (no pun intended)? Or worse – total lack of intimacy with the Father from one that is held to a higher standard by giving his life to the ministry. The ministry of what, may I ask? A ministry of formulas, committees, committees on committees, personal relationships with a dry as dust god? No way.
Father, we need You so much. Forgive me if i have misjudged the reverand's ability to minister to my family - I'm a little touchy about stuff like that... Forgive me for failing to represent you even close to adequately. Father, please step in and touch our hearts with the absolute truth of Your passionate, wild, unfailing love.
No comments:
Post a Comment