I have had the privilege and journey of attending many churches in my adult life, all different denominations. I will say a number of them, perhaps unintentionally, focused so much on the rewards of salvation after death that it did feel like there was nothing to do here on Earth but hope it passes quickly.
I would never put myself on the same level of God, as He is the Great Creator. So this next bit is just my poor human mind trying to connect. I am blessed to have a vocation that requires me to create, specifically books. It would displease me and hurt me if my readers never enjoyed reading the stories I created and only got through them as quickly as they could to slap the title down as "Done. Read it." As though the most important part of enjoying a story was the completion, not all of the devices and plot I put in specifically to delight them as they turned the page.
In that way, I think sometimes we have forgotten that prior to the curses in the Garden of Eden handing down, God did not create the Earth to be a terrible place. Yes, there is suffering here and sin, and there is a struggle. But I do believe it's important we consider if we are spending all of our time worrying and warning about the evils of the world and forgetting the parts that are miraculously created by Our Father?
Regarding the GC: As someone who became a Christian as an adult, one of the first reactions I had to being taught that Scripture was "Wait, why does the all-powerful God need ME to make this happen?" And because I was someone who was 18 when I first began seeking, I know from my personal experience, there was something in my heart and mind that changed first and then it was easier for me, though at time setback as well, to pursue healing that brokenness I couldn't fully understand or fix on my own, because there were "Church" people in my proximity. But it would be 9 years later before I was baptized and could truly tell anyone I knew without a doubt I had the Holy Spirit in me. And yes, for me, it was disciple first (learn what is this all about) and then baptism.
This post was very inspiring to start exploring the gaps I hold about God's story, despite being a faithful follower for 13 years. Thank you.
Hey Scott- Thanks for this. Super timely and important.
I have had the privilege and journey of attending many churches in my adult life, all different denominations. I will say a number of them, perhaps unintentionally, focused so much on the rewards of salvation after death that it did feel like there was nothing to do here on Earth but hope it passes quickly.
I would never put myself on the same level of God, as He is the Great Creator. So this next bit is just my poor human mind trying to connect. I am blessed to have a vocation that requires me to create, specifically books. It would displease me and hurt me if my readers never enjoyed reading the stories I created and only got through them as quickly as they could to slap the title down as "Done. Read it." As though the most important part of enjoying a story was the completion, not all of the devices and plot I put in specifically to delight them as they turned the page.
In that way, I think sometimes we have forgotten that prior to the curses in the Garden of Eden handing down, God did not create the Earth to be a terrible place. Yes, there is suffering here and sin, and there is a struggle. But I do believe it's important we consider if we are spending all of our time worrying and warning about the evils of the world and forgetting the parts that are miraculously created by Our Father?
Regarding the GC: As someone who became a Christian as an adult, one of the first reactions I had to being taught that Scripture was "Wait, why does the all-powerful God need ME to make this happen?" And because I was someone who was 18 when I first began seeking, I know from my personal experience, there was something in my heart and mind that changed first and then it was easier for me, though at time setback as well, to pursue healing that brokenness I couldn't fully understand or fix on my own, because there were "Church" people in my proximity. But it would be 9 years later before I was baptized and could truly tell anyone I knew without a doubt I had the Holy Spirit in me. And yes, for me, it was disciple first (learn what is this all about) and then baptism.
This post was very inspiring to start exploring the gaps I hold about God's story, despite being a faithful follower for 13 years. Thank you.