From the Mouths of Babes

Our bedtime ritual in the Bryant house is to give the kids a bath, have them brush their teeth, and then read a couple of books/stories to them. We usually let them pick a book they want to read-- (something short with few words is what I always hope for)--and then we read a story or two from a Children's Bible (The Jesus Storybook by Sally Lloyd-Jones is our favorite right now). It's funny how God uses their stories to speak to my stubborn heart at times. Here I am a grown adult, and you would think after walking with Christ for almost 30 years I would have some of this stuff down...but leave it to God to remind me that I am just like a child, and sometimes He has to use a Bible story written on a kids level to get my attention and remind of who I am, where I came from, and Who it is that has carried me the entire way.

We are reading a book now to the kids called "5-Minute Parables", and, of course, what is does is take the Parables of Jesus and put them in a very short story for kids to understand. The last 2 have really pulled at me in ways I haven't felt in a while. We recently read the story of the lost coin and tonight we read the story of the prodigal son. Now I have read and heard these stories countless times. Heard sermons on them, done studies on them, pondered them, etc..., but the Lord really reminded me of a few great truths that either I had forgotten or maybe never pondered where these 2 stories are concerned.

First, in "The Lost Coin" I was reminded and my heart warmed by the fact that Jesus sought me like the widow did her lost coin. She turned the house upside down and cleaned ferociously until the coin was found. Jesus did the same to find me. He had to turn some things in my world upside down and sweep away some things that were covering me or blinding me from seeing Him, and he didn't stop until he drew me to Himself...until He found me. I was reminded and encouraged by the fact, in a new way, that He will move heaven and earth just to make me His own. That does something for this stubborn, sinful heart of mine. That truth feels like such a warm place in a cold, cold world. I love it.

And tonight, while reading the Prodigal Son, I was reminded that He always welcomes me back with open arms after I have tried to go out on my own and accomplish things in my own power. When I neglect Him, as I so often do, because I get to busy doing "religious" things...He is there waiting with open arms. When I allow sin to get the best of me and I fall in the same area time and again...He is there waiting with open arms. When I am a pharisee, a legalist, a law-abider but not a love-giver...He is there waiting with open arms. I often see myself as the older brother (and believe me, many times I am), but tonight I saw afresh myself as the Prodigal...and I liked it, because that means I can't claim any of my own goodness or bring anything to the table. My Father has to do it all. What a relief! That feels so good!

Musings from a Pharisee

Where, in the areas of my life, is God asking me to get out of the boat and walk on the water to Him? Where do I need to just go forward in reckless abandon, keeping my eyes completely focused on Jesus?

Why is that I can confess God’s love easily, but find it miserably difficult to absorb into my inner soul and being?

These questions are what I am faced with this morning. I want so much to trust in, feel, and live out the Jesus Creed in reckless abandon, but I know I am falling far short. I find it extremely difficult to love my brothers and sisters in Christ at times, and I John tells me that loving my fellow believers is the mark of a true child of God. Why is loving other people so hard at times? Why do I find it hard to tolerate them? Why do I just want to tell them off or roll my eyes or believe that my way is the best way? Where do those rotten attitudes and unloving thoughts, feelings, and actions come from?

Today I have a lot more questions than answers. I know that I live out the Jesus Creed, answers will come and I will experience:

Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than theses.

Mark 12:29b – 31