Thoughts re. Questions from the Shadows

Pin It Now! I loved the discussion generated by my post on 'Questions from the Shadows'.

Lisa, Queenheroical, thank you for what you shared.

I've put some further thought into it and I think I've got it. Well, at least the big picture answer. It's the actual execution that gets tricky.

As per my usual self, I think I was taking too much responsibility for the job of 'reaching' those who are hurting. The brokenness of people all around me still really hurts.

That sounds so patronizing, and as far as I can plumb my motives, that's not how I intend it. It's just that I've recently found such huge freedom in realizing that God's huge, amazing love for me has nothing to do with how good I am.

To use C.S. Lewis' term from his Cosmic Trilogy series, I'm just coming to terms with how bent we all are.

Up until recently, I lived under the illusion that things like pornography addiction, lying, adultery etc. were all deviations from what normal people do. That most people live a good life by default. But now I'm starting to see these things invade the lives of those around me and I'm realizing the biblical truth that brokenness is our natural state. That outside of the intervention of the Holy Spirit into our lives we're not capable of wholeness.

And because I've lived most of my life as a Christian who really didn't get the idea that God really, really likes me, I realize that there are a ton of people out there who don't know that either. Christians and non-Christians.

I'm also starting to understand that this could be the root of a lot of what's wrong in the world. I mean, even many secular psychologists will tell you that the number one need of people is to be loved unconditionally.

And I know, for me, knowing that God loves me that hard has started to change how I see others. Because if His love for me isn't based on how good I am (or not!) then I realize how rich in love I am and can start giving that away to others.

But then, the practicalities of how to do this get in the way.

However.... (here comes the simplistic answer) :

I believe that God brings people into our lives for a reason, a time and a season. Our job is to love Him, learn to love others like He does, be real about where we are and be with the ones He brings into our lives in that reality too.

I'm so dense.

Relationship is central to everything God does and wants for us. Duh!

Jesus said it himself! "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40)

Heck, that's why Jesus died for us. He wanted to hang out with us again, like He did with Adam and Eve in the garden. He wants to be with us. He can have a relationship with me that He can't have with anyone else. Same for you. Same for each and every human being on earth.

As a mom I can totally see that now that I have more than one kid. Before I had Katiana, I was worried that I couldn't love a second baby as intensely as I love my Tasia. Now I know that kind of love isn't divided. I have a unique relationship with both of my girls. One could never replace the other. And if I, an imperfect human, am capable of that kind of love, imagine how much love our Heavenly Father has for us.

And as we realize that God has that kind of love for us, we start to see how amazingly precious each and every human being is. He cares! Our brokenness hurts Him. And wonder of wonders, He lets us be a part of each others' healing too.

Cool.

Like I said before, I realize the practicalities of how to live this out in daily life aren't always as easily explained. But I really think this is the answer to my questions.

More 2-year old Humour

Pin It Now! Something you don't want to hear from a 2 year old with a nasty head cold:

"Mommy! I have a moustache!" (I won't describe said moustache.)

As she sits on the floor looking at her sister's astronomy book:

Katiana - "What's that Daddy?"
Daddy - "It's an astronaut."
Katiana - "No Daddy, that's not an astwonaut. It's a wobot."

Questions from the Shadows

Pin It Now! Often the most broken people are the most isolated. The ones least likely to seek help, the least likely to accept help when it's offered.

Why? I can't answer for everyone, but I'm wondering if it's because they feel like there's no cure for what's broken.

There's some pain that isn't easily healed. It's incredibly sensitive, though, and we try to protect it from further hurt by keeping it away from any and all touch. It's not just that we're afraid of being hurt again....we're afraid to try and fail. Failure will confirm that, yes, we really are beyond help. That there's no one that can understand us, no one that can understand our brokenness. It's safer to stay hurt and hidden than to open up for more hurt.

So how do we help those who are hurting? We could go barrelling in with our simplistic answers. Tell them they need Jesus. Pray the sinners prayer with them if they're unbelievers. Tell them to pray and read their Bible more if they're believers. It's all well-intentioned, but as far as I can see, this could drive a person away from God (Who really is, after all, the only One capable of healing this kind of pain.) I mean, what happens after someone commits their life to Jesus, does their devotions and prays regularly and the pain doesn't go away?

I really don't have the whole answer to this. I really want to know though.

How do you meet people where they're really at? How do you get to a place where you can not only give them the Answer (Abba!) that they need but walk side by side with them through from the shadows to the sunlight?