I Still Don't Understand

“While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Why, one will hardly die for a righteous man – though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die. But God shows His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:6-8).

One Saturday morning I was praying with my church family in our main service: I was praying to God in my head while our friend Rose was praying out loud for the congregation. I stopped my silent whispering to God when I heard something that seemed to speak directly to my experience. Rose said something like, “We don’t understand how You love us, but we respond to Your Divine love with our devotion and desire to know You better.” I’m sure that’s not a direct quote, but that’s the message I took from her prayer.

“I don’t understand Your love,” was such a candid and fresh way to talk to God. I thought, this is how I feel in God’s presence, how I feel when I imagine my Best Friend, my Heavenly Father, His Comforting Spirit. Coming clean about how I still don’t understand why Jesus would leave His Father’s side in heaven to take on the form of His creation and give His life for the sake of a doomed creature like me seems to be a good place to start when I talk to God. I’m still trying to wrap my head around LOVE like that.

My response to His love is only possible because His LOVE came first. Check out Romans 5:8 again: while I was still a sinner Christ died for me! “…He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. He destined us in love to be His sons (and daughters) through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will (Ephesians 1: 4, 5). Because He loved me, because He chose me to be a member of His family I chose to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8) and keep choosing to let Him change me and my life from the inside out.

Of course, the way I understand things is not something I’ve been able to rely on in the past. I’ve made some of the worst decisions ever based on my understanding of what role I’m supposed to play, what others are supposed to do, and how life works in general. It’s a good thing that God has that covered: I don’t have to have it figured out to be in a relationship with Him or even to get along in the world. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5). He’ll guide me even without a theologian’s understanding of scripture or salvation.

When I read the Word I get the idea that His love isn’t even within the grasp of my understanding. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). I don’t have to get how it works to live in His love. Thank God!

You're Invited

Happy New Year!

You're invited to our New Year's celebration this Friday, January 2, 2009 at 6PM at Celebrate Recovery in Burbank.

We're planning a delicious Italian dinner and inspiring meetings and fellowship.

I can't think of a better way to bring in the new year than with you and other CR friends.

Feel free to call for more information.

Service Opportunity: Child Care for CR

We are looking for a responsible adult (age 18+) to agree to provide child care for the kids that come with their parents to CR on Friday nights. Commitments can vary: Choose a schedule that works for you. Child care is needed on Friday nights from 7-9PM in Burbank. $20 per night + dinner and fellowship.

Must be able to pass a background check.

Call 818/848-7051 for more information.