Giving someone the cold shoulder is a chilly way to live, but not as bad as ghosting someone. When you freeze someone out of your life you may seek to remove the risk of pain from your world, but in the same move you also risk losing the benefits of that relationship also. Maybe you’re bleak and wintry when it comes to family, friends or people in authority. But why do some go bitterly cold toward God?
Today’s musings have me asking “why do we act in such a sub-zero way toward our Creator?”
“why do we act in such a sub-zero way toward our Creator?”
Lately I find myself having quite a few conversations with people who are deeply reconsidering their perspective on life with regards to God and faith. I’m hearing lots of questions and an openness to challenge paradigms and prejudice, with a willingness to even go as far as returning to church! In this privileged position as a witness to an epic journey I don’t see myself as a source of answers, more a guide to asking profitable questions. As I taught my kids, ‘the better the question, the better the outcome.’
‘the better the question, the better the outcome.’
Paradoxically, why do we believe we can remove a God Who is always present in all places? Can you separate the cold air from the wind?
Through conversation I have learned that people have been hurt by people who believe in God, and that makes them doubt God, judge God and reject God. As a church leader and human being who makes mistakes every day, I apologise for poorly representing God. However, I would add that I believe rejecting God because of someone else’s behaviour is an act of retribution that only disadvantages you.
A friend of mine recently posted on social media how they had given up on God because He had not answered them in a time of need. Their lack of comprehension of the ways of God had caused them to utterly reject His invitation into a personal relationship. God offers us unconditional love, not logical connections confirmed and confined by our limited mind.
God offers us unconditional love
Some truly believe they are not good enough to be accepted by God. Don’t be mistaken, God is not grumpy, nor is He upset with you. I have found that God has a long tolerance for suffering fools – and I stand here as proof of that!
God has a long tolerance for suffering fools
I perceive we are entering a season where people will seriously review their views and make moves to begin their journey home. Everyone needs a spiritual home.
Everyone needs a spiritual home.
If you’re a Christian reading this, please be open to friends and family asking questions. And for God’s sake, don’t give trite answers full of tripe! God deserves better representation than what we’ve done in past seasons. We must learn to trust God in the uncomfortable space of “I don’t know” while living in the security of His everlasting grace.
It’s okay to deconstruct faith, especially if you bring a desire to search for something more akin to the way Jesus chose to present God to the world.
**As featured in the TA News Thursday 2nd June 2022