What2Say2Day? Last night was the first gathering for our Youth Midweek Bible Study. Those who know me will tell you I truly enjoy learning about the bible and its meaning from today's teenagers. They have insights I have forgotten how to use.
As a part of our time together we read Psalm 50 which was described as a "very scary" Psalm. And yes, it is. The Psalm was written so as to scare its listeners into renewing their covenant with God. It was written as a warning that God is here and is ready to do battle. It mentions all-consuming fires that will tear you apart if you don't start following the laws as handed down from Moses. Of course, if you're one of the faithful, don't worry about any of this.
One of the youth made a comment after reading the Psalm that was something like, "I'm glad our church doesn't scare us like this." And there it is, laid out for us in a nutshell, ripe for the picking, so close it could bite us (okay, enough adages).
I grew up in a church that preached this way every week, then one day I figured it out; "Why bother, I'm a sinner, all sinners go to hell, and I only have the one shot to turn my life around. Well, guess I better stop trying." I stopped going to church and began a life's journey filled with more trials than maybe I deserved.
God is a God of love. Yes, sometimes the love is harsh, but its never one of hate. Yes, sometimes its a love with punishment, but its never dividing. Yes, sometimes its a love that is straight forward, but never is it meant to be scary.
We need to help our youth, and others who come to us, know that the God we believe in is a God who will unconditionally accept them for who they are. And, while the relationship is developing sometimes God will get mad at you, and sometimes you will get mad at God. But then, show me a relationship that isn't like that.
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