One of the most difficult things I've had to learn on this journey with Jesus, is how much God loves me. And yet, this lesson has also been one of the most delightful! I frequently told Kirk, my spiritual director, “I have no problem believing that he exists, and no problem believing he is all powerful, but I just can't believe that he would bother with me. He's got bigger things to do!”
But I often feel God’s presence, and Kirk directed me to this verse from Hebrews 11. Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. Kirk was helping me to understand that God’s presence was God responding to me. God loves each of us so much that he responds to each of us when we seek him.
It is against this backdrop of love and attention that we go on to read Chapter 12. Just as we may not understand how much God loves us, we may mistake God’s training as trouble or even punishment.
Hebrews 11 and 12
The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.
Keep your eyes on Jesus. In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through. So don’t feel sorry for yourselves. Have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children? My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline, but don’t be crushed by it either. It’s the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects. God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment;
it’s training, the normal experience of children.
Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God?
We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God’s training so we can truly live? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.
I would never call myself mature in my relationship with God, but I happily return to his presence for more training. I hope to see you on Sunday in worship as we learn together in God’s presence.
Despite all your uncertainty
this is certain: I will hold you,
and be with you, and in you,
and in all you encounter.
My grace will endure.
And in the end, you will be whole,
and blessed,
and at home in me.
Be at peace,
and come with me
into the future.
__________________
Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Unfolding Light
www.unfoldinglight.net
Image By Rembrandt - Return of the Prodigal Son
Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22353933
