S Isaiah 65:2,5) I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who ... say, "Keep to Yourself, do not come near me, for I am too holy for You ..."
O
How could anyone in my human family speak such things to God? But we did--and we still do. So Jesus demonstrated these words in shocking, juxtapositioned reality. He said (John 3:14): "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up." On the cross, with His arms extended to everyone and His affection open and vulnerable, we nailed His hands, impaled His heart, and railed against His holy words.
A
I could not ban God from me any more than I could command Mt. Hood to erupt with rivers of hot fudge, but He does permit me to reject His outstretched, helping, healing hands. Whenever I exercise veto power over His call and wise commands, I'm part of the mob that crucified Him (Hebrews 6:16). Whenever I worship Him without pretension, His mighty embrace resettles me in Heavenly places (Ephesians 2:1-7).
P
Lord, forgive me, please, of treasuring my will above Your will. Forgive me for excluding those people who seem less holy than I. Help me instead to offer them my loving embrace and to gently confront them as need be--like You've patiently done with me.
No comments:
Post a Comment