It is a story he has always been telling and longing for us to hear. So, what is the story? And who is he that has been telling it? The story is “life that is truly life.” It’s extravagance whether in plenty or pain; it’s real without agenda or arrogance. A “life that is truly life” has been scripted by our Father God since the beginning of time, and he invites us today to see, seek and savor all that he is and wants us to be.
A picture of this extravagance came about when our friend Paul asked us to speak on this idea of a friendship with God a few weeks ago to the students at Pantego Bible Church. In his great British accent, he said, “You talk of God in ways most people don’t. I would like to hear your journey of relationship. You just come off quite real about the whole thing.” We had a rich time sharing the story of our connection and relationship with Father God.
As uniquely created individuals, we have a longing to relate with the one who created us, because he is also calling us. If we don’t know that the one who is calling us truly loves us, we will pursue the one that looks the most appealing, has the best credentials, immediately gratifies or requires the least personal involvement. Worse yet, we will think the one who is calling us is calling us names like “misunderstood, not enough, undesirable, and/or good for nothing.”
When I say “God,” who do you see? What do you hear him saying? Any of these…?
- “You blew it again? How many times are you going to screw this up? How long do I have to listen to your apologies? You know you’re not suppose to… You know you should have….”
- “I’ve got another call. I am the God of every living thing on Earth and in the heavens. I have a lot of important things to take care of – evil world leaders, deadly diseases, the unsaved, etc. No offense but your marriage, your son, your vocation, they are just not that important.”
- “Anything goes. There are many different religions and faith groups that lead to me. Live a good life, treat people relatively well, and pick a religion where you feel most comfortable and an assembly that is entertaining. Just be nice.”
- “Get your ‘out of hell free’ card. Walk down the aisle, get baptized, and go to Sunday school. Do these things that have the appearance of me in your life, and I will give you the pass. Most of your life decisions you will need to figure out on your own. I am really only available on Sunday. Work it out and take what the world gives you from Monday through Saturday.”
- “I am your ‘Magic 8 ball.’” Come to me for the big stuff – you know when you finally get really stressed out. I’ll pop out like a genie and be ready at the last minute to grant your request. You want to pass the Chemistry exam, get into law school, have children? Toss up a ‘hail Mary,’ and it’s yours.”
Or do you hear your Father of both heaven and your heart saying…?
- “I know your name, and I love you. I LOVE YOU - the unique person that I have created you to be. You are overwhelmingly wonderful, and I want friendship with you. Do you see how I pursue you through the Psalms, Jeremiah, and Deuteronomy? I offer you intimacy for your soul through your marriage. I speak to you on the commute to work on Tuesday. In the silence of the captured moment, I comfort you. I answer your longings in my timing. I come over for dinner on Thursday night through your friends. I inspire you through songs on the Absolute Worship CD. I show my creativity and extravagance in the fruit section at Whole Foods. I talk to you through Amy’s poetry or Kathy’s art. When you are overwhelmed with joy as you hit the first ski run of the day, that is me enjoying it with you. I interpret truth through Pres’s November newsletter. I show you my exuberance through your children as they open their Christmas gifts. I want to live life with you – hand in hand – in rich conversation. I gave you my only son, Jesus Christ, to bring you back to me. I am the place where you belong.”
Check out Father God’s words to you and then tape them on your bathroom mirror, car steering wheel, or PDA.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have drawn you with a loving-kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3
“The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” John 10:3
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20-24
“But you are a chosen people… a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” I Peter 2:9
“Belonging” has less to do with a study of God and everything to do with a relationship with God. It is to this knowing, experience and pleasure that Father God calls us. He wants to connect with us. He wants us to know that we belong to him not just when we, who are believers in Jesus Christ for salvation, pass from this life to the eternal one. It’s even more than this. He wants us to know that it is with him that we belong in this present life. Can you believe he has promised to reveal his treasures to you and me now? He will. And he will do it boldly if only we will seek his kingdom first instead of attempting to build our own. It is in this seeking that we have found sight and “life that is truly life.” But this seeking begins first with an accurate picture of Father God – a God who calls you by name and loves you.
Resources to ponder:
- “Belong” by Chris Rice on Smell the Color Nine CD
- “All We Want Is You” by Darrell Evans on Unchartered Waters CD
- Absolute Worship CD
- The parade scene in the Jingle All the Way movie
