When
our family gathers for any occasion – ANY time, upon first seeing each one, our
arms open, we hug, we embrace. I love
that. And sometimes, we embrace two or
three times.
In
the bosom of family – we are loved and cared for, trusted and trusting, safe
and secure. We are so welcomed that we
settle into the love that surrounds us with great ease.
And
so it is with God. His arms are open to
us
And
if this kind of embracing God is foreign to you, what then?
I’ll
borrow from a favorite book. If you are
in need of forgiveness, of God’s embrace, perhaps “what blocks forgiveness is
not God’s reticence but ours. God’s arms
are always extended. We are the ones who
turn away.”
(Philip
Yancey – What’s So Amazing about Grace)
And
why would we turn away from an embrace that stretches wide to receive us? Only one word comes to mind – pride.
And
following quickly on the heels of pride – shame, remorse, regret, guilt.
And
we start the conversation within ourselves …
“I’m
not worthy of that kind of embrace.”
“You
don’t know everything about me – where I’ve been, what I’ve done.”
“But
I’m dirty inside.”
“The
stink clings to me of the places I’ve been, the activities in which I’ve
engaged.”
And
the arms are still open.
The
welcome mat is still in place.
The
door is wide open.
Step
through.
You
see, He offers the invitation.
We
choose to accept
it or not.
God
will not come and drag you in. You come
willingly.
He
already knows where, when, how, how many, how much, with whom, and any other
descriptor you might add.
AND HE STILL WANTS YOU!
He
still opens His arms ready to receive you.
How great is that?
Listen
to His words …
“Come
to me all who are weary and bear heavy loads.
I will give you rest. Take on my
ways, learn about me; settle into the rhythm of grace that I offer. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on
you.”
(Matthew 11:28-30 – paraphrase
based on The Message)
And
perhaps we say to ourselves … can I trust Him?
This sounds too fantastical, too made-up, too juicy.
And
yet the invitation remains.
The
arms are still outstretched.
The
voice calls to us.
Come
to me!
Offering Words of
Hope Encouragement
Inspiration
One Word at a Time
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