I haven't thought of it in months. Telling, huh?
Reading the story of the Prodigal Son with the kids today, I realized I've never heard a lesson on parenting like the father who hikes ups robes and runs to meet his wayward son.
Sure, God loves like that, but it's not like we can go around parenting children like that, can we?
I suspect not only that we can but that we're called to love so lavishly.
Lately, my heart keeps turning over the idea of truth-in-love. If I'm honest, I prefer the truth side of things. Being right and righteous. I love to weave an argument and close the gaps.
The ones who believe six impossible things before breakfast make me a bit mad. It's not the dreaming but the inconsistency. My mind whirs fast, always connecting dots to a perceived bigger picture. If A, then never B! It's plain as day!
Of course, this is my own inconsistency. I long to be generous and free, but my logic is The Very Best Way, how can you not see?
It's ugliness, I know. I hold it up to the light.
Following Christ is a dance and practicing faith a delicate balance. Truth without dogma. Grace and accountability. Justice and mercy. Obedience with a pure heart. Freedom and faithfulness. Love that humbles itself and breaks every yoke.
I'm kind of rotten at it, truth be told. Quick to anger. Desperately undisciplined. Lazy in love.
But it never was about my faith or work but Christ's. His faithfulness sustains, and his work makes us complete. Salvation is the gift that we work out together, arm in arm.
At the end of the day, we're all just standing on grace. Wide and long and high and deep, this love of Christ, this grace sufficient.
It's all we have and all we need.
Reading the story of the Prodigal Son with the kids today, I realized I've never heard a lesson on parenting like the father who hikes ups robes and runs to meet his wayward son.
Sure, God loves like that, but it's not like we can go around parenting children like that, can we?
I suspect not only that we can but that we're called to love so lavishly.
Lately, my heart keeps turning over the idea of truth-in-love. If I'm honest, I prefer the truth side of things. Being right and righteous. I love to weave an argument and close the gaps.
The ones who believe six impossible things before breakfast make me a bit mad. It's not the dreaming but the inconsistency. My mind whirs fast, always connecting dots to a perceived bigger picture. If A, then never B! It's plain as day!
Of course, this is my own inconsistency. I long to be generous and free, but my logic is The Very Best Way, how can you not see?
It's ugliness, I know. I hold it up to the light.
Following Christ is a dance and practicing faith a delicate balance. Truth without dogma. Grace and accountability. Justice and mercy. Obedience with a pure heart. Freedom and faithfulness. Love that humbles itself and breaks every yoke.
I'm kind of rotten at it, truth be told. Quick to anger. Desperately undisciplined. Lazy in love.
But it never was about my faith or work but Christ's. His faithfulness sustains, and his work makes us complete. Salvation is the gift that we work out together, arm in arm.
At the end of the day, we're all just standing on grace. Wide and long and high and deep, this love of Christ, this grace sufficient.
It's all we have and all we need.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Eph 3:20-21)
Welcome mat and flag provided to me by DaySpring. Receive 25% off all July purchases with code JOY2012. [Affiliate]
