Question #1
A good friend asked me a few weeks ago, "what do you love most about God?" My answer came so quickly and effortlessly. There are so many things to love about God, how can you pick just one thing? The thing is, what I love most about God is not set in stone, but it often changes depending on my season of life or situation at hand. That's why I don't have favorites. My favorites tend to change and adjust, just as my feelings and circumstances do.
Question #2
I recently filled out an application for something (will share more later) and one of the questions was, "what is most important to you about your walk with Jesus?" Again, my response came so quickly and just poured out of me in written form. This is unusual for me. I usually struggle for a little bit (or longer) and need some time to process when it comes to making decisions, choosing a favorite or answering questions on the spot. Then again, when it's something that is valuable to me, something I know with personal experience, something I have invested in, and something I am passionate about - it often overflows quite naturally.
I recognized later that my responses to those two good questions were quite similar and connected. That is what I want to share with you today, for I came to realize that this is a reflection of the journey I have been on over the past 5 years of rediscovering God and myself. A reflection of the relationship that has been developing through experiential knowledge, personal investment, passion and perseverance. It's been an adventure worth sharing and continuing...
My combined response:
What do I love most about God - that He cannot be contained, that He does not live in a man-sized container, that He is "more", that He is boundless and marvelous and at the same time, He is a Rock and refuge that can be trusted - a place of security and rest. He does not force Himself upon me or control me, rather He gives me safe space to come and explore and expand. He gives me safe space to come as I am with all that is in me.
What is most important to me about my walk with Jesus - that it's ours. A walk like none other. It doesn't have to look like somebody else's or look a certain way. It has space to move, create, grow, rest, change and deepen. There are no rules or regulations or traditions that "have to" be done. There is no temple I "have to" go to as a means to meet with Him or reach Him. It is not too difficult for me. He is ever-present, He is with me always, even if I am distant. Even on the far side of the sea, there He is. There are no waters too deep that He cannot cross or carry me through.
Because of what He's done, I "get to" come near to Him. We "get to" commune together. There is no condemnation, no comparisons, and no competition. I am free to be me with Him, and He with me. I am free to come to Him, just as I am, with all that is in me - honestly. I am free to be loved by Him. He is free to be Him, just as He is, with all that is in Him - wholly. Neither of us have to prove anything. He has already proven His love for me. He has already shown Himself faithful and true, abounding in kindness and grace.
Out of gratitude, and in response to such great love, I get to love Him back. He is free to show me what is good for me and glorifying to Him, as well as what might be entangling me or hindering that goodness, glory and growth. It may not feel pleasant at the time, and I might be resistant, but it is always for my good and brings freedom and peace.
Though it is "ours'', it is also meant to be shared with others. It will likely share similarities, scenery, guide posts, and common ground with other 'walkers', as we move toward a common goal of Christ-likeness and Heavenward. It's important to me that We're making that hard and holy movement together and leading others along the Way.
That's it. And so, I leave you with the same questions - what do you love most about God (where you find yourself today), and what is most important to you about your walk with Jesus? I would love to hear your responses. There are no right or wrong answers - just be you! And if these are difficult to answer or respond to, then that's worth looking into further. Perhaps this is your invitation to a journey, an adventure... won't you come along?
Grace and peace ~
SS
A good friend asked me a few weeks ago, "what do you love most about God?" My answer came so quickly and effortlessly. There are so many things to love about God, how can you pick just one thing? The thing is, what I love most about God is not set in stone, but it often changes depending on my season of life or situation at hand. That's why I don't have favorites. My favorites tend to change and adjust, just as my feelings and circumstances do.
Question #2
I recently filled out an application for something (will share more later) and one of the questions was, "what is most important to you about your walk with Jesus?" Again, my response came so quickly and just poured out of me in written form. This is unusual for me. I usually struggle for a little bit (or longer) and need some time to process when it comes to making decisions, choosing a favorite or answering questions on the spot. Then again, when it's something that is valuable to me, something I know with personal experience, something I have invested in, and something I am passionate about - it often overflows quite naturally.
I recognized later that my responses to those two good questions were quite similar and connected. That is what I want to share with you today, for I came to realize that this is a reflection of the journey I have been on over the past 5 years of rediscovering God and myself. A reflection of the relationship that has been developing through experiential knowledge, personal investment, passion and perseverance. It's been an adventure worth sharing and continuing...
My combined response:
What do I love most about God - that He cannot be contained, that He does not live in a man-sized container, that He is "more", that He is boundless and marvelous and at the same time, He is a Rock and refuge that can be trusted - a place of security and rest. He does not force Himself upon me or control me, rather He gives me safe space to come and explore and expand. He gives me safe space to come as I am with all that is in me.
What is most important to me about my walk with Jesus - that it's ours. A walk like none other. It doesn't have to look like somebody else's or look a certain way. It has space to move, create, grow, rest, change and deepen. There are no rules or regulations or traditions that "have to" be done. There is no temple I "have to" go to as a means to meet with Him or reach Him. It is not too difficult for me. He is ever-present, He is with me always, even if I am distant. Even on the far side of the sea, there He is. There are no waters too deep that He cannot cross or carry me through.
Because of what He's done, I "get to" come near to Him. We "get to" commune together. There is no condemnation, no comparisons, and no competition. I am free to be me with Him, and He with me. I am free to come to Him, just as I am, with all that is in me - honestly. I am free to be loved by Him. He is free to be Him, just as He is, with all that is in Him - wholly. Neither of us have to prove anything. He has already proven His love for me. He has already shown Himself faithful and true, abounding in kindness and grace.
Out of gratitude, and in response to such great love, I get to love Him back. He is free to show me what is good for me and glorifying to Him, as well as what might be entangling me or hindering that goodness, glory and growth. It may not feel pleasant at the time, and I might be resistant, but it is always for my good and brings freedom and peace.
Though it is "ours'', it is also meant to be shared with others. It will likely share similarities, scenery, guide posts, and common ground with other 'walkers', as we move toward a common goal of Christ-likeness and Heavenward. It's important to me that We're making that hard and holy movement together and leading others along the Way.
That's it. And so, I leave you with the same questions - what do you love most about God (where you find yourself today), and what is most important to you about your walk with Jesus? I would love to hear your responses. There are no right or wrong answers - just be you! And if these are difficult to answer or respond to, then that's worth looking into further. Perhaps this is your invitation to a journey, an adventure... won't you come along?
Grace and peace ~
SS
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