How does God see sin?

During Steve’s sermon tonight, he asked us, “How does God see sin?”

Someone behind me said “broken and dysfunctional” and, as Steve responded by explaining how Satan twists and distorts good and makes it evil, I got a perfect picture.

"Do you know how the Orcs first came into being? They were elves once, taken by the dark powers, tortured and mutilated. A ruined and terrible form of life..." Saruman *

When was the last time you wanted to cuddle up with an Orc?

And yet, we seek out the things that God hates. We think that a following our flesh is something wonderful, but we don’t seem to realize that we’re flung on the back of a twisted, grotesque creature being run across country.

I know I embrace my sin nature way too often, but I want God to help me see sin how He does, so I can be so revolted, and I will run to the only place of safety—His arms!

 

*quote is from the movie not necessarily the book…but based on Tolkien’s writings

Merry & Pippin carried away by the orcs

Safe

Think of a person you consider safe.  Safe for you. Safe to be honest with and safe to share your heart with.  What makes that person safe?

I’ve had a few discussions about this recently.  One key factor in my discussions is the person won’t be sharing what you say with anyone else. At the core, that means this person is trustworthy. They aren’t a gossip.  They are careful what they say about you when they talk about you to others. They speak of you with respect.  Do you always know that?  No. But when you spend time with people you see how they talk about others, and you learn how much you can trust them.

But I don’t think that is all there is to it. I think a safe person is also, as a friend said, “full of grace for you.”  When you want to share deep discussion with a safe person, they are willing to go there.  They don’t judge you or treat you differently when they know your struggles.  They might make suggestions, but often they just listen and still love you.  Somehow they still love you.

I’m sure there is more to it, but for now, I just want to work on being the type of person that is safe for the people I care most about.

Listening

Recently in youth, we did an activity where one person is blindfolded and the other must talk them through an obstacle course. I’ve done it before, but this time was different. This time I was partners with my girl.

Here is what I learned as she guided me along the way. It’s a lot easier to follow a voice that you know well and love. I was honed in on her, and even when Roger jumped in to distract/kiss me, I yelled for him to be quiet, so I could hear my sweet girl’s voice.

And that is the kind of focus I want on the Holy Spirit. I want to focus on Him even when other voices, good voices that I love, are vying for my attention. I want to love Him so much that its easy to follow because I know His voice so well.

Who knew I’d love solitude?

School starts in 10 days. Roger has already been back for a while, but in 10 days, I go from a house full to a house empty. A year ago, if you had asked, I would have been timid about how I would like the quiet of my house to myself. But this year, no question, I’m excited.

Don’t read this wrong. I love having my family home. I enjoy all 4 of us being able to be together. In fact, it was really hard this year to be the one going in to work while Rog and the kids were going to be home.

But what I found in the solitude at home was a sweetness with the Lord that I hadn’t had in a long time.

So, why couldn’t I find that while everyone was home? It wasn’t like the preschool days when my kids needed my attention all of the time. But somewhere deep inside, I want to be alone with my Abba. And the emotion I share with Him in those times is something I hold inside when other people are around.

I wonder if it is meant to be that way. Are we supposed to be able to process the complexity and sweetness of Jesus in a crowd? Or is it just a different type of connection when we are with Him alone?

Good Luck, All In

For the Jedi, attachment is forbidden.  It’s a Buddhist concept if I understand it correctly. Right now, it’s tempting.

*sigh*

Sorry Mellifluous, here it is again

1 Peter 1:22

²² Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.

Not only am I supposed to have a sincere love for you, but I’m supposed to love you deeply from my heart.  I may not do it well, but I put my whole heart in it. And guess what…

Loving people sucks***

It’s not easy, it’s not always fun, it will cause you immense pain even when you thought you had steeled yourself against the pain.

But we were built for relationships. First with the God who created us and then with the people He put around us.  This is what we were made for. 

Ready or Not *gulp* I’m All In

 

 

***December 24, 2011