| |
My friend Tina was baptised last night. Many of you already know her story, as over the last year Bridget and I have helped her in various ways. In brief, she came to the ED about a year ago and I heard a clear call from God to tell her how much He loved her. What followed was a long process of healing that is still going on. Last night was simply one more step on the road to life. Six months ago, when Bridget and I talked to her about following Jesus, her honest answer was, "I'm not ready for that," and I appreciated her honesty. Many people in our life think that Tina is taking advantage of us, playing us for fools and taking everything we will give her.
Well, that may be true. Don't think that we haven't thought about that possibility on several occasions. Helping Tina has been encouraging, frustrating, humorous and maddening at times. But I have never felt that God was not interested in her, and that He wanted us to withdraw from her life.
Here is another thought: if we are being played for fools, we are fools for God. If we are being taken advantage of, it is an imitation of Christ, who has let us all take advantage of Him, of His suffering, of all He had to give for us. And we take advantage of Him so much that we don't even think of it anymore. How better to show His love than to love as He did, without thought for ourselves?
Understand, we are not a blank check. We were for awhile, when Grace was what she needed most. Later, it became clear that Truth was the major need, and the relationship was tested, as we told her things she did not want to hear, and worked to help her to be more self-sufficient. Still ongoing, but I see progress. Grace and Truth have spoken to her, and she has heard the voice of Jesus at last. She was baptised. In her words, "I don't want to be alone anymore."
Afterwards, members of our small group gathered around and prayed for her. My father, who was baptised only a few years ago, refused to participate, fearful that we were endorsing all of the sin in her lifestyle, which has still not changed. It gives me pause as I consider it; how much of our sin are we responsible to clean up before Jesus can help us? I believe the answer is 'none', as I believe that in our own strength, we are powerless to defeat sin. And baptism is not a magical incantation that suddenly makes us into a completely different person. We are adopted into a better family; we have a new identity. Baptism is a birth, an awakening, a union of the finite with the infinite, and the infinite is very patient. The change is immediate, but the effects are bound to time, and our God is gentle and tenderhearted. The change in Tina over the last year has been tremendous; she has gone from separated from God to willing to submit to His lordship. The clean up has begun. Her problems have not gone away, but she is not alone anymore. How much farther does she need to go? How much farther am I, on that scale?
But it is easier to judge, to look at those hard-to-hide sins in her life and think that they are worse in God's sight than my easy-to-hide sins, and so I can feel a little better about myself, a little more secure in my own righteousness, and a little better than her.
Which breaks God's heart more, which offends Him more, the prostitute who weeps tears of remorse and washes His feet, or the pharisee who proudly hurls the first stone? Some of us have sins of the flesh, and all can see them, other sins lie deep in our hearts, and only show in our resentment of God's grace to others, and contempt for how He chooses to heal them.
Praise You Father, for Your grace and love that is greater than ALL of my sin.
|
| | Posted 4/3/2008 10:54 AM - 171 Views - 8 eProps - 4 comments
- recommend
  - recs0
- share
- email
 - sent0
|
