READING: Genesis 18-19, John 7
I wonder if God cries. Or if he ever has.
I wonder if he's ever groaned in suffering as he looks down on the earth and compares it to the original design of the Garden of Eden.
I do know that Jesus himself in human flesh expressed these emotions, but I wonder if God the father in the perfection of paradise has ever expressed these emotions.
As a teacher of high school students, it pains me when the kids make poor decisions in class. Not because I want them to behave better for me, although that would be a major bonus. Not that they simply act different than I would have as a kid. Rather, their errors in decision-making pain me because I know they are capable of better. I know they've got to have a yearning somewhere deep inside to strive to be an incredible specimen of a human being. I cannot let myself believe that this is not true. I don't have children of my own, but I'm sure that parents' hopes for their kids are similar.
And then I think that I am that student to God. He has planned for me a great learning opportunity in life. He knows a wonderful side of life that I can tap into and he has set up a successful way for me to step into that life, and yet I don't. I don't trust him. I don't respect him. I don't fear him. I instead make poor decisions.
I wonder what God felt when Sarah laughed at him, when she did not believe she would bear a child.
I wonder what he felt when Lot volunteered his daughters for immoral acts, and when they also succumbed to sexual impurity themselves.
I wonder what he thought when he looked upon Sodom;
When he reflected on the flood and Noah;
When He sent Jesus to the imperfect earth;
When man looked upon Jesus with hatred without reason.
I wonder what he feels when I don't spend time seeking him, when I say a harsh word, when I think negatively, when I act impurely. I wonder if he cries. I wonder if it pains him.
But I also must challenge myself, and everyone else who has lived in sin, or who feels trapped by the weight and consequences and guilt of sin, to remember that Jesus came to close that gap between us and God. Jesus came for our redemption. God turned his face away at the cross, as all the things that we've done to cause him grief were hung out to dry. Now, as Christ arose with those sins buried, the new light of his resurrection reflects on us, and in this light we are seen by God. So whether he has cried or groaned or turned away, we know now that love has won out, that he has reason to smile upon us.
I wonder if he's ever groaned in suffering as he looks down on the earth and compares it to the original design of the Garden of Eden.
I do know that Jesus himself in human flesh expressed these emotions, but I wonder if God the father in the perfection of paradise has ever expressed these emotions.
As a teacher of high school students, it pains me when the kids make poor decisions in class. Not because I want them to behave better for me, although that would be a major bonus. Not that they simply act different than I would have as a kid. Rather, their errors in decision-making pain me because I know they are capable of better. I know they've got to have a yearning somewhere deep inside to strive to be an incredible specimen of a human being. I cannot let myself believe that this is not true. I don't have children of my own, but I'm sure that parents' hopes for their kids are similar.
And then I think that I am that student to God. He has planned for me a great learning opportunity in life. He knows a wonderful side of life that I can tap into and he has set up a successful way for me to step into that life, and yet I don't. I don't trust him. I don't respect him. I don't fear him. I instead make poor decisions.
I wonder what God felt when Sarah laughed at him, when she did not believe she would bear a child.
I wonder what he felt when Lot volunteered his daughters for immoral acts, and when they also succumbed to sexual impurity themselves.
I wonder what he thought when he looked upon Sodom;
When he reflected on the flood and Noah;
When He sent Jesus to the imperfect earth;
When man looked upon Jesus with hatred without reason.
I wonder what he feels when I don't spend time seeking him, when I say a harsh word, when I think negatively, when I act impurely. I wonder if he cries. I wonder if it pains him.
But I also must challenge myself, and everyone else who has lived in sin, or who feels trapped by the weight and consequences and guilt of sin, to remember that Jesus came to close that gap between us and God. Jesus came for our redemption. God turned his face away at the cross, as all the things that we've done to cause him grief were hung out to dry. Now, as Christ arose with those sins buried, the new light of his resurrection reflects on us, and in this light we are seen by God. So whether he has cried or groaned or turned away, we know now that love has won out, that he has reason to smile upon us.