“The Person Behind these Peaches”

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 Paul Gibbs, leader of the Pais Project (www.paisproject.com), asked us to speak on this idea of a friendship with God. 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. If we don’t know the one who is calling us, we will most certainly be confused. If we don’t know that the one who truly wants our best is calling 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 the one who 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 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, natural disasters, etc. No offense but your marriage, your son, your vocation is 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, get the promotion, have children? Toss up a ‘hail Mary,’ and it’s yours.”

Or do you hear your Father of both heaven and your heart say…?

· “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. Do you see how I pursue you through the Psalms, Jeremiah, and Deuteronomy? Do you hear me speaking to you in nature or through your friends or in your circumstances? I want to live life with you in friendship. I gave you my only son, Jesus Christ, to bring you back to me. I live out the intimacy for your soul through your marriage. I speak to you on the commute to work on Tuesday. I answer your longing for children in my timing. I come over for dinner on Thursday night for home group. I inspire you through songs by Bebo Norman, Robert Coleman and Kevin Walker. I talk to you through Amy Harvison’s poetry. I interpret truth through Pres Gilham’s November newsletter. I show you my exuberance through your children as they open their Christmas gifts. I am everywhere and desire to walk with you.”

Check out Father God’s words to you and then tape them on your bathroom mirror, car steering wheel or computer.

“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 knowledge or a study of God and everything to do with a relationship with God. It is this experience and pleasure that Father God calls us to. He wants to connect with us. He wants us to know that it is with him that we belong; 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 for 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.

What is your response?
What is your picture of God?
What lies have you been told?
Receive the gift!