I wonder why God did not give up on me ages ago. My behavior was certainly no model for others, attitude smelled, and disciplines were nonexistent. There was little about what I was doing that could possibly be attractive! I clearly did not have anything to show in the compassion department. I obviously was more concerned with money than helping others. Nothing seems to dissuade God.
I always assume that God reacts like I do. I know that I am not to “waste your time on a scoffer; all you’ll get for our pains is abuse.” (Proverbs 9.8) So if people do measure up, I write them off! If someone is not willing to hear, listen, and act then discard him or her quickly! There are other people to catch, others to bring into the family.
The strange thing is that as soon as I turn towards God I find that He is already turning towards me. He has the door of a relationship opened wide, ready for me to come in. God is always ready and waiting. God values who I am not what I do.
So, does God follow his own advice?
The answer is a resounding yes!
When I turn away, I find that God does two things. First, He continues to help those who are seeking Him. Second, with a tear in His eye, He lets my freedom of choice play itself out. God knows that any other action, no matter how well intentioned, would take away the core of what makes us human. At the same time, God impresses those close to Him to reach out and nurture us in anyway possible.
It is hard for me to understand why God lets anyone go if He knows that our actions will result in pain. The answer lies in the accusation about God himself; that He cannot let people freely choose Him; otherwise nobody would make the choice.
Today, I choose God and to reach out to anyone who is seeking His face. May we find everything God has ready for us.
