Loving God - Forgetting Ourselves

“There can only be two basic loves,” wrote Augustine, “the love of God unto the forgetfulness of self, or the love of self unto the forgetfulness and denial of God.”

There is very little to add to this statement by St. Augustine. I would encourage us all to consider which love we are most often operating from in our daily lives. I know this side of heaven we will never be perfect in our relationship with God, ourselves, and others; however, we can decide to be intentional on a daily basis to decide and then ask God to help us to live in love of Him to the forgetfulness of ourselves. The only way we learn to live out this type of truth is to practice it. So, when we “mess up” (and we will) we need not to give up and/or give into loving ourselves, but to humbly talk to God about our “missing the mark” [a.k.a. live for our own selves] and from that moment not to get lost in condemnation but move forward and continue to practice learning to love the Father.

So, don’t let your hearts and minds be discouraged by the fact you are human - God already know this and He is okay with it!

Is God your Father or your employer?

Many believers live their lives with the mind set of: “What can I do for God?” or “What does God want me to do for Him?” Basically, many Christians live as though they were saved to serve and that if they are to fulfill their purpose of salvation they must serve. The truth will bring a hit to our human pride and it is that God does not need us to serve Him and in fact, God wants us to be in relationship with Him and that is why He sent Jesus.

Jesus said in John 17:3

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

Jesus is telling us that we were saved so that we may know Him and His Father intimately.

When we are dead set on serving God, then our relationship with the Father is based on performance and therefore it becomes lifeless; mechanical; and obligatory. The Apostle Paul wrote in Acts 17:24 & 25 24

"God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. 25- "Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.

When our focus is on God through Christ Jesus we will form an intimate relationship with Him; some have even said we could even become obsessed with Him. In building an intimate relationship with the Father there will be an out-flow of service that pours out of that love relationship.

Only God can do something for Himself. In His wisdom He allows us to participate in work with Him; because and due to our relationship with Him.

If you think of your relationship with God in terms of performance and service then you will run the risk of relating to Him as your “Heavenly Employer” risking that you are doing things He requires, which may or may not be accurate. Remember an employer’s role is to scrutinize our performance and make sure we are following the rules and at the very least doing the status quo. Is this the relationship you want?

Live your life intentionally

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?’ Actually, who am I not to be? You are a child of God. If you are playing small, that doesn’t serve the world. There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are born to manifest the glory of God within us. It is in everyone. And as we let our lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. When we are liberated from our fear, our very presence automatically liberates others. – Nelson Mandella

In my last entry I used a quote from C.S. Lewis to help exemplify how fear will keep us from actually living and loving in life. Nelson Mandella seems to know what Lewis knew and that is that fear is the biggest form of bondage. We live in a society where are all we are suppose to feel is only one thing and that is “happy” and as children many of us learned to be quiet about our being happy. However, we also live in a culture that is fear driven.

Turn on any radio, television, pick-up a newspaper or turn on your computer and connect to a search engine and you will soon have more than enough to be afraid of; from multiple types of crimes to the newest measure of what it is to be a “success”. There is no shortage of things to be afraid of and yet we still continue to move forward facing some of these fears; even if this is not in our consciousness. The majority of people have not identified cultural fears; let alone what fear or fears attempt to paralyze them in their own life. Also, many people live in bondage and do not even know they are the bound up by fear.

I encourage you to be very intentional about living your life. Take some time to identify what if any fears have you may have that could be keeping from being connected and present in your own life. It is highly important to identify and then challenge those things that attempt to keep you from living life.

Finally, I do realize and want to state that to get connected and active in your life risk is involved, but don’t be afraid of risk, just learn to approach each risk wisely. Be sure to know how much risk you are willing to take and know what your limits are. Like anything new, take small, manageable steps/risks until you feel more practiced at taking risk and dealing with success or disappointment.

To live our lives and not just exist; is to be at risk.

C.S. Lewis wrote,

To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully around with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket – safe, dark, motionless, airless – it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable; impenetrable, irredeemable…The only place outside of Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers of love is Hell.

What a powerful thought! Lewis speaks directly to what many people who come into my office seem to want and that is a guarantee that love and life will be risk free. It is amazing how we humans pursue what we think we want because of the belief that it will fulfill us and we can have what we want on our terms. Sure many of us bargain our way through life, rationalize our choices, deny what we have or are pursing is detrimental to our well being and/or that of others, the list goes on and on.

It is sad that in our pursuit of “having our cake and eating it too” or searching for love; relationship[s] either as family, friends, or a spouse’ success [however we define it] we work ourselves into sure bondage. Lewis depicts this bondage as sure death: “…in that casket – safe, dark, motionless, airless… “ Wow, he has painted the state of being “safe from risk” clearly as bleak as any thing I can imagine.

When we decide to be involved in our own lives we must face that risk is a part of life. This choice gets right to the heart of the matter and that is to live our lives and not just exist; is to be at risk.

Hallowed be Your name

"And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

"Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

"In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name." Matthew 6:7 - 9

According to the Strong’ Exhaustive Concordance, in the Greek hallowed is: hagiazo [hag-ee-ad-zo]: to make holy; purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate. The Vines Expository Dictionary defines hallowed: to make holy; signifies to set a part for God, to make a person or thing the opposite of koinos = common. The American Heritage Dictionary defines hallowed: To make or set apart as holy; to respect or honor greatly; revere. And consecrate as: (verb) to make or declare sacred; set apart.

The literal translation of Matthew 6:9 is: Thus therefore pray ye: Father of us the [one] in the heavens; Let it be hallowed the name; of thee. (Interlinerar Greek-English New Testament- Nestle & Marshall) HOW COOL! I love this.

If I had always read this verse as: Our Father, who art in heaven, set apart is Your name. I may have understood the weight and import of what Jesus is telling us; I cannot say this for sure, but I think it is likely. It strikes me so strongly and has impacted how I think and feel about our heavenly Father, the only true God, my mind and heart can hardly contain and comprehend what little I do grasp.

I am amazed that His name is set apart and it is so holy that we cannot even truly know it. Yet, we can know Him. Our great God, whose name is set apart from all names and is unfathomable, yet He makes it possible for us to know Him. Jesus is that way, He is the One who reconciles us – connects us to His Father, who is our Father.

By the way God Has given Him a name that is also set apart, Philippians 2:9-11 9: Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11: and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

My having a more accurate understanding of the word “hallowed” has deepened my awe and love for God. I know I am just barely beginning to comprehend His love for me and you, but I am not tired of meditating on it. I like to let it roll over and over in my head and as I do, I feel drawn to do so more and more.

One word can make a difference

The choice of one word over another can make a tremendous difference in how we understand, perceive and apply Holy Scripture to our daily lives. I remember the first time I discovered that there was just such an example in one of the most well known passages of scripture for believers and non-believers alike. I am referring to the first of Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

According to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, in the Hebrew the word we read as want is literally lack: חסר (2637 ) - (chacer), (khaw-sare); a primary root; to lack; by implication to fail; want; lessen; be abated; bereave; decrease; cause to fail; have lack; make lower; want. We should read The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not lack. When many modern people read the want we perceive the meaning as desire and/or we will get what we command and/or demand.

The American Dictionary defines these two words as follows:

Want: to feel a need or a desire for; wish for: to want one's dinner; to wish, need, crave, demand, or desire (often followed by an infinitive = I want to see you); to be without or be deficient in: to require or need.

Lack: deficiency or absence of something needed, desirable, or customary: something missing or needed; Verb form: to be without or deficient in: to lack ability; to lack the necessities of life; to fall short in respect of.

If you will stop and think about how many of us communicate our wants, it may bring the picture of someone stamping their foot, arms folded across their chest and a pout or defiant look on their face. Also, think about how you would perceive this verse if you had always thought of it terms of lack instead of want. Many of us have been socialized to believe if we want something then it is or should be ours, as we want it; as opposed to thinking in terms of not lacking. The difference being… Well why don’t you think about how that would be different for you.

I would love to hear how that would change your perception and how you think about God, His love, His care, and/or His provision for you on all levels: psychologically, emotionally, spiritually and behaviorally. If we can gain a more accurate understanding of God then we can begin to gain a truer and clearer understanding of ourselves and of others.

Oh, How He Loves Us!

Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? ~ Romans 2:4; NKJV

Don't you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don't you care? Can't you see how kind he has been in giving you time to turn from your sin? ~ Romans 2:4; NLT

Or do you presume upon the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not know that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? ~ Romans 2:4; RSV

No matter what version of this verse we look at, it is clear to me that our God is beyond amazing! It is incredible to me that He has loved us so much and for so long [before the earth was formed] that He pours out His kindness upon us so we can respond to Him - in the first place. Wow!

I imagine it going this way. The Apostle Paul is speaking to the Romans and trying to get them to understand how great the Father’s love for us is. And he says, “Hey you guys! Don’t you know it was the Father’s kindness that drew you to Him- in repentance in the first place?”

It had nothing to do with you – the only part we play in this fact is that we are drawn.

It completely blows me away. I feel humbled and NOT humiliated by His love, mercy and grace. There is a huge difference between feeling humbled and humiliated. Think about it, please.

In my opinion and life experience there is nothing more settling and gratifying than knowing that God wants me. He does not need me…He wants me! He wants you! Jesus came and made our way to the Father. Oh, how He loves us!

Just let this verse roll around in your head, like a wave on the ocean’s shore. As a wave comes in to the land it deposits a few new grains of sand as it crashes on the shore and as it goes back out to the depths of the sea it takes a few grains of the old sand with it. I think in the same way it can work for us when we are trying understand something new. So, as you let this verse and the knowledge that He poured out His kindness on you [and me] keep turning over and over in your head, a bit more of the truth will sink in and a bit more of our old misunderstanding of who God is will fall away.