I've been a little bit AWOL over the last week (not posting everyday, like regularly! lol), and I promise that I will be back with a weekend update and photos tomorrow, but I wanted to pop on for a bit and give you a "Sunday Lesson" on this beautiful afternoon.
This morning in church, our pastor had this painting on display. It's a part of Michelangelo's painting found on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel...of God reaching out to Adam.
As we looked at the painting, we were told to think about these things...
* God is always reaching toward us, but He always leaves a small space between us so that we can choose whether to reach out to Him or not.
* We must only "lift a finger" to find God.
* God is only a finger away, a breath away, a prayer away, a moment away.
* The story of life is one of God chasing after us, wanting us to reach out to Him. And the ability to reach out to Him is quite easy. Yet, we think it is so hard.
I thought that I had been inspired enough after that sermon, only to find more inspiration on the way. We celebrate Communion on the first Sunday of every month and it's a morning I always look forward to. My joy tripled in size (at least) when I looked down and saw one of the church members serving the bread today. It wasn't one of the "giants" of the church or one of the older members of our church. Instead, it was a guy just a bit older than me who has battled alcoholism over the years, who struggles a lot, but who still has a deep love for God. When I saw that he would be serving me, it just reinforced one of the most powerful feelings I have about my faith.
Being a Christian is not about being perfect. It's not about doing everything just "right" before we can earn grace and forgiveness and love.
In a way, it was much more powerful to be served communion by someone who struggles and sins and gets up after he's fallen down and tries again to get it right...because we are ALL in the same boat. We are all on equal footing when we stand before God; no one is more deserving than anyone else to receive His love and forgiveness. We ALL need God; we ALL are deserving, no matter who we are or what we've done; God wants to love EACH and every one of us.
11 comments:
WOW! That is a great lesson to learn! The picture is a wonderful visualization to go along with it! It really makes you think!
Thanks so much for posting this!
Thank you for the lesson - beautiful post. I needed a good pep talk today.
Awesome post! It really spoke to my heart. Thanks!
That is a great lesson and I totally agree with you!
that is awesome cheryl!
wow. so awesome!!
thank you!
Hi, it's me again.
I wasn't kidding when I said this touched my heart, because this lesson is one of the first things that popped in my head this morning when I woke up...before I'd even gotten out of bed. So instead of grabbing my computer right away, as I usually do, I grabbed my Bible and a devotional instead.
I'm back this morning to re-read it and to tell you again how much I appreciate it.
I am a Christian but have let the busyness of life keep me from reaching out to God as as I should.
I ran across something the other day with a similiar theme, and it touched me as well. I think God's been trying to get my attention and you posting this certainly played a part in helping me to stop what I was doing and give it to HIM.
Thank you.
What an amazing lesson, Cheryl. Thanks.
Hey, I haven't read your post yet, but I can tell it's a good one. And I'll be reading it shortly. However, I did want to tell you that I just tried to send you an email and it was returned undeliverable. Has your address changed? Shoot me a quick email when you get a minute...
Thanks! Love ya!
Very good lesson Cheryl too many people think Christian's are perfect. Not perfect, just forgiven and we are just as apt to stray from the path as anyone. The important part is finding our way back and not giving up on God.
I can only echo Kathy and say "Wow". I have been a little behind in reading and commenting on posts this week. Thanks for the lift of my spirit.
Powerful, very powerful
Well said.
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