“Oh, dear people, will you listen to me [God] now? Israel will you follow my map?” Psalm 81.13
I sit surrounded by people in the pursuit of quenching their thirst for God. In many ways, I understand their quest, given my own passion to know and hear this same God. The time with friends and family is refreshing, but I want more! The time in study and discussion are good, but I want more. The sessions exploring God’s words and stories of interacting with people are interesting, but I want more!
This week is a mini experience of life; tensions between family members, kids’ enjoying what life gives them, and opportunities for everyone to grow. As the end of our time in the Redwoods approaches, the desire and need to have certainty in my own life consumes my attention. I want to understand God’s plan for my life and follow. I want to know what he would have me do on His behalf for people around me. I need knowledge of God.
This week has brought a series of new insights. I believe in the uncertainty of our needs, God is laying map laid out clearly for each one of us.
We are God’s beloved and God’s creation; God calls us a chosen people.
We cannot do anything within ourselves to become gods; we are human creatures who are inherently selfish.
Every failure in my life, past, present, and future, is already resolved in God.
God offers to each a special gift. We can accept or reject the gift; the choice is ours to make.
Everything in life that relates to God does so on a relationship level. Our response to Him reflects our relationship. Our treatment of others exposes our relationship. Our decisions and choices are another relationship choice. Everything in life reflects our response to God’s map. God’s map is one of love, unconditional acceptance, and hope.
God loves you and He loves me, just as I am. I cannot run away from this and I cannot destroy or change his view of me.
