#Rethink - March 2020
#Rethink - February 2020
Happy March! This month we are contemplating separation from God, pondering how to face fear with dignity, and recognizing the true source of our value.
Do our sins really separate us from God?
If you've spent any time in church, then you've probably heard that they do. But someone challenged that belief this earlier month by asking, if it's true, then why was God so quick to interact with Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, and the other early people in Genesis 1-11. They commented that it doesn't appear people were actually separated from Him. Nice observation, but yikes!
As much as I like hard questions, it's still kind of uncomfortable when core truths of Historical Christianity are challenged. I looked up Scripture passages that talk about our sins separating us from God and came across Isaiah 59. (I’ve linked it to NetBibble.org if you want to read it.) I started thinking.
How do we define separation?
Hasn't God always been the One to pursue people and provide a way back?
What if our separation from God is based on our own choices?
I fully believe that God has done everything necessary for anyone to know Him through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. His arms are open to us. What if it's our pride, rebellion, and self-effort that are the problem?
What if the only sin separating people from God is their refusal to acknowledge that they need saving (unbelief)?
"God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him. There is no judgement against anyone who believes in Him. But everyone who does not believe in Him has already been judged for not believing in God's one and only Son" John 3:17-18. (NLT)
Part of me wanted to just ignore Covid-19 in this newsletter. I feel like we are being inundated with information from every avenue. But as I read an article with these wise words from C.S. Lewis they made me cry and touched my heart with peace. Personally the mass public hysteria is more stressful to me than the actual virus, and Lewis's words hit on that hysteria.
He wrote about the atomic bomb which was the current threat, but if you replace bomb with coronavirus it's just as powerful.
"If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs."
Let's face it, we are not used to our comfort and safety being threatened. But we are also not the first humans to face the fear of death. Look at history, look at Christians around the world. We can get through this with dignity, selflessness, and faith.
The sun is still coming up. The birds are still singing. My spring flowers are growing. God has not lost control and life will go on.
You are not valuable because of what you produce;
you are valuable because of who you are.
These statements completely contradict the daily messages we get from social media and our culture at large. They contradict what I hear from the Christian publishing industry. I feel the pressure every day when I don't produce content for my blog or social media platforms. Or even worse when I do produce content but then no one likes it.
I think it's one of the reasons I struggled to be a stay-at-home mother. I didn't feel very valuable when everything I accomplished today needed to be done again tomorrow. But our intrinsic value does not lie in what we do. It's deeper down in who we are.
We are people made in the image of God. Made for relationship with God. We are valuable because He created us and loves us. Regardless of what we can or cannot produce, our value to Him does not change. He loves and likes us the same on our bad days as on our good ones.
I can write this out for you, but it is something that I struggle to believe. I am learning though, and it is bringing me rest.
Thanks for taking a moment to #Rethink some of our religious traditions and beliefs. I know that it can be scary to deconstruct and reconstruct our faith, but finding the Real Jesus is absolutely worth it. As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts, questions, or comments.
If you know someone who would love to #rethink, please share!
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