The following is a post I did on the women's ministry blog that I also write on, GLOW (found off to the side under "links"). I don't know how many of you read this, that, or both. I wanted to share it. I would love to hear your feedback...
I just finished reading The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning, an eye-opener of a book. The gist of the book is living in the grace of God because we are objects of God's unfailing love. Not a light subject, but a rather simple one. The final chapter, "A Touch of Folly" might be the one that hit me the hardest.
I am still processing all the questions that Manning poses. They are questions that we, as Christ-followers, cannot ignore. Questions that we need to consider. Questions that we need to come face-to-face with. I want to share them with you. Do with them what you wish. My prayer is that you would take time to think, write, pray, seek answers to each question.
We live in a world that is pining for us. We live in a world that wants to pull us away from God. We live in a world where the focus is solely on "me" and what "I" can get. We live in a world where there is a battle for souls. The time is now to think about and respond to God and the call He has put on each of us...."Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
Do you live each day in the blessed assurance that you have been saved by the unique grace of our Lord Jesus Christ?
After falling flat on your face, are you still firmly convinced that the fundamental structure of reality is not works but grace?
Are you moody and melancholy because you are still striving for the perfection that comes from your own efforts and not from faith in Jesus Christ?
Are you shocked and horrified when you fail?
Are you really aware that you don't have to change, grow, or be good to be loved?
Are you as certain of the triumph of good over evil as the fermentation of dough by yeast?
Though on a given day you may be more depressed than anything else, is the general orientation of you life toward peace and joy?
Are you diminished by other people's perception of you or your own definition of yourself?
Do you possess that touch of folly to transcend doubt, fear, and self-hatred and accept that you are accepted?
Are you moody and melancholy because you are still striving for the perfection that comes from your own efforts and not from faith in Jesus Christ?
Are you shocked and horrified when you fail?
Are you really aware that you don't have to change, grow, or be good to be loved?
Are you as certain of the triumph of good over evil as the fermentation of dough by yeast?
Though on a given day you may be more depressed than anything else, is the general orientation of you life toward peace and joy?
Are you diminished by other people's perception of you or your own definition of yourself?
Do you possess that touch of folly to transcend doubt, fear, and self-hatred and accept that you are accepted?
As always, I would love to hear your thoughts. More than that, I would love to know that these questions stirred you up. I would love to know that they made you dig deep into God's word, that you sought HIM out in a new way, that you found peace in the unfailing love of Abba.
