reading the pages of my life
last week i picked up rob bell's new book SEX GOD. i am reading session 2 "sexy on the inside." i realize that lifting one section out of any book is a dangerous thing. in light of the tone and thoughts of my entire blog, i think this quote is in context of my journey.
"you can't be connected with God until you're at peace with who you are. if you're still upset that God gave you this body or this life or this family or these circumstances, you will never be able to connect with God in a healthy, thriving, sustainable sort of way. you'll be at odds with your maker. and if you can't come to terms with who you are and the life you've been given, you'll never be able to accept others and how they were made and the lives they've been given. and until you're at peace with God and those around you, you'll continue to struggle with your role on the planet, your part to play in the ongoing creation of the universe. you will continue to struggle and resist and fail to connect." pg 046
that is just as plain as it gets.
identity. acceptance. relation.
the merger of role, soul and creation.
4 comments:
(gee, why on earth do you think he picked that for a title? i hope it wasn't for sales...guess i'll have to read it to know.)
criticism of title aside, i like the quote here. i just read something similar in Ruthless Trust by B Manning. it sounds a lot like what Cody and i've been learning. here's my paraphrase:
until we stop dividing life in to sections (ie: this was the time that sucked, this was the time that i prospered, this was the time i loved, this was the time i lost, etc.) we will not experience the beauty of life's entirety. not only are we unable to live presently---we are also unable to meet others exactly where they are.
it is really amazing to experience/learn this alongside other believers instead of waiting for each other to be perfect. it really makes for a deep, safe community in which to grow and live.
one final word on this: a co-worker of mine called this kind of life a "patchwork quilt". what results from the ugly times is part of what makes the beautiful squares so beautiful. why shouldn't they all be included in the same quilt? the completed quilt is beautiful; the Maker's thread holds it all together. incidentally (actually not so surprising), the last stitch is made where healing is found...at the final corner of the completed quilt. (remember touching the corner to Jesus' prayer shawl brought healing?)
beautiful, eh?
if you're still upset that God gave you this body or this life or this family or these circumstances, you will never be able to connect with God in a healthy, thriving, sustainable sort of way...you will continue to struggle and resist and fail to connect
This is why I quit trying.
***
Minty,
You shouldn’t quit trying. However, I must agree with you sentiment. There is nothing we can do in this equation with God other than accept Him as savior if so desired. That’s it. No being 100% content with your life, body, surroundings, circumstances, etc. None of that. It’s pretty much impossible. Don’t even try that. It’s all God. That’s what Heaven is all about.
Kickin’ it,
Krazee Eyez Killa
hey melanie-pearl - love the illustration of the quilt. and where are the corners of a round garment? boy i bet that made the rabbi crazy. nonetheless the woman knew where to find the deep healing truth. i guess if you are truly seeking you will find it.
minty - dang girl the from the first time i read your post about the homeless guy i was wrecked. i am really glad you are so honest.
it is refreshing to hear/read the thoughts and comments of people who are struggling muddling through this thing called life along with the rest of us. from that understanding, it gives me hope that we are not alone even though we might be seperated by geography.
continue to spin your web little spider because your design is so delightful!
krazee eyes killa - welcome to the real zoo. this is a blank canvas for anyone to explore the deep water of life in the midst of the One who sets the lonely in families.
some days i find the things i write come from a secret place in my heart. more and more i find that i was made to share my life knowing that with that freedom comes great risk that i might be wounded in return, but that is the picture of the gospel to me.
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