In our small-group last night, I was challenged. Again.
I find the following unkeepable balance:
Pray, especially because God asks (including: "you don't have because you don't ask" & "your faith has made you well")
-- vs. --
God is sovereign (including: "who are you, the clay, to question the potter" & "were you there when I _____ [formed the word, created the Leviathan]" & "even kings are like drops of water in God's hand")
Growing up in a Reformed-informed + contra-charismatic tradition, there was a strong leaning on the Sovereign God side. Then I watched T.V. and saw the "claiming" approach and thought, "Nice - what a bunch of bunk." Local news shows followed-up and "proved" the sham.
Then Pat (the host/husband) said, "When you do that, you withhold part of your heart from God." Huh. Pat is one of those guys who's all-man, but very healthy emotionally nonetheless (grin). So I listened. [Also, I know I'm emotional behind for my age]
He said it's better to claim God's healing, forgiveness, miracle, etc. and then, should God not do what I was asking, give Him my sense of hurt, of loss, of disappointment. I realized I had kept those kinds of things from God.
Then Pat (innocently) pulled the, "It's better to have felt and lost than never felt at all." The best thing about Pat is that there was NO sense that this was a jab - he really wanted me to get this, to experience this.
So to those that follow my journey or one like it, I have once again re-engaged the emotional aspect of my relationship with God. Not that I drop the other: the mystical or the rational. But now I am learning how to add Emotion to my relationship with God (and my wife, and my kids and ...). I honestly thought the steep part of my emotional journey was over. Perhaps I was wrong!
Pat's the coolest.
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1 comment:
this sounds like viewing God as a good father. you ask for what you want and trust that he knows what is best. if he chooses to give it, you lovingly thank him for it. if he chooses not to give it, you lovingly express the hurt and disappointment to him, but continue to express your trust in him.
this sounds like a very healthy, relational way to interact with our heavenly Father. it also makes me ponder my children relate to me. thanks for sharing!
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