Thoughts on Persistence

Thoughts on Persistence
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Thursday, April 20, 2017

God's Arms Are Open to You

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
– welcoming, comforting, embracing, warming and healing our hurts and wounds. 

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!


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