What do we look for in our relationships? I have been thinking about this lately. I thought about when I was younger, how I would pick my friends based on all sorts of things. There was this one girl in Kindergarten who became my friend because we had the same name. To us, that meant destiny!
But seriously, as I got older, I often chose friends because they had a lot in common with me. Or maybe I just liked the way I felt when I was around them. Perhaps they were nice to me, I found them entertaining, or I felt like the spark I saw in them rubbed off on me somehow. You know, hanging with the cool crowd means you are cool by association. Or dating that guy who is everything you wish you had in your life suddenly means you have those things in your life. Right? Then why do we still try to fill our emptiness on these things as we get older? Maybe these sparks aren't rubbing off on us the way we'd hoped?
I am finding, however, that God chooses differently. He didn't choose me because of how good I am, or because I know how to do everything right. He didn't choose me because I don't ever hurt His feelings, because my rebellion hurts His heart. Jesus said once that He actually did not come to the earth to call the righteous. The good people. In fact, He went so far as to say that there is more rejoicing in Heaven over one person who is not righteous coming to know His love and leaving their sin behind than over 99 righteous people who don't need to repent of their sins. I've heard this so many times, but it really is just hitting me. Jesus wasn't just saying this to sound wise. He meant it! He really came to rescue you, not to control or corral you!
And He means it about you. You want to know something amazing? He WANTS you. No, He doesn't want you to convert so that He can have many people on His roster to prove His effectiveness. And it's not so He can wipe out evil and make everyone conform so there's more peace on earth. God is conqueror of all evil, and all wickedness is already under His feet. There will be a day of justice for those who don't repent of their sins. The issue is that there is a real Enemy, the Devil, who is a liar. He wants people to think He's won and that there's no hope, and so they won't turn to God. When we think there is no hope and no God, we resign to living the empty life that we try to fill with fancy friends, food, and things that touch our physical senses only to wear off without filling our emptiness.
But when we know we are chosen, something shifts inside. We realize that romance isn't a matter of getting someone to choose us. We know that friendship isn't about being with people that make us feel or look good, because the God who formed us and loves us already completes us and chose us. He made it okay to be you, with your skin, hair, body, and personality gloriously intact. You came from His heart, and you look like Him! So you can find the friends who need you, and whom you need. How many of us can say sometimes what we need isn't always the easiest to receive? Ever have friends who are not afraid to lovingly tell you that you are not always right? I have, and while I used to avoid that, I now realize that it's just what I need!
You are wanted. Let God adore you. Ask Him what you look like to Him, and get ready to be overwhelmed by His desire for you. When He reaches out His hand to invite you, say yes! :)
A musical illustration of what we're sayin' here...
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