Contemplating Sin and Our Relationship with God

Lately I have been thinking much about my relationship with God. In seeking Him, I have been challenged to think much about another issue: sin.

I realize that in our postmodern society, clearcut right and wrong can be hard to find. When we choose to submit ourselves to Christ, however, this becomes a well defined issue with which we must reckon.

King David offers the following prayer in Psalm 51:1-5.

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to Your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified in Your sentence and blameless when You pass judgment. Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me."

David, who is elsewhere in Scripture acknowledged by God as "a man after My own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22), recognized the reality of this issue of sin. He himself wrestled with it, and was honest about his struggles. When David sinned against God, he sought restored relationship with God through repentance.

After quite some time contemplating this issue, I found myself at this thought: we wrestle with sin in direct proportion to our relationship with God. When I do not care to pursue God as a disciple of Jesus Christ, sin is not so bothersome. In fact, it's mostly enjoyable. But when I am drawing near to God under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, sin becomes a major problem. Instead of feeling nothing, I am able to acknowledge that a part of myself is dying in darkness because of sin. And I can only know this because of the light of truth which Jesus Christ provides.

"For once you were in darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light- for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, 'Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'" (Ephesians 5:8-14)

Bibliography

The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments with the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books: New Revised Standard Version. New York: Oxford UP, 1989. Print.

Everyday Journeys

Recently I stood for the second time in the Sistine Chapel.

It was almost exactly two years since my first visit. It amazed me how much things had changed. Not about the Chapel itself, but about me.

You see, when I was there the first time, I was undergoing information overload. I think that this happens to many of us when we encounter a new place or situation. I remember visiting quietly with my colleagues and students for the majority of the time that we were in the room, discussing the images displayed magnificently before us. I walked around the chamber trying to frantically observe every panel during the short time we were there.

This time I found a seat on a bench along the side wall. And I sat.

I thought.

I reflected.

I prayed.

I sat. And it was perfect. I allowed the quiet and beauty of the moment to challenge me as I considered God and His redemptive work throughout history.

This moment was a renewing challenge: to be still and reflect on who God is. Everyday life is remarkably busy, and I know that often I put far too many things on my plate. We are our own worst distractions. But this is not our only choice.

This morning when I woke up, I read these verses:

"But you have burdened me with your sins; you have wearied me with your iniquities. I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins." (Isaiah 43:24b-25)

In the same breath that God tells us He has been hurt by us, He says that He forgives us according to His divine character. AMAZING!

You see, today I do not have the luxury of the Sistine Chapel. Right now there is only God's word, a computer, and me. And I still want to marvel. I still want to be challenged. That, friends, is my hope and prayer for us all: that wherever we are at, we would be aware of God's presence shining through the moment.

Bibliography

The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments with the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books: New Revised Standard Version. New York: Oxford UP, 1989. Print.

Reflections

The times... they are changing.

It has been some time since we last communicated. I hope that you and your family enjoyed the Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations and that you are looking eagerly to 2015. I know that I am; I cannot wait to see what adventures lie ahead!

Two years ago, I was spending New Year's Eve on my own. My wife was travelling with her side of the family, and my parents and sister were all travelling as well. When I had gotten on the road from dropping my wife, Rachel, off with her parents, I did so with the intent of driving back to Little Rock. However, it was mid-afternoon, and it would have been a very late arrival. I decided instead to go back and stay the night at my parents' house, and start fresh the next morning. As I was driving, I called my grandmother to see what she was doing. She invited me out for supper.

I ended up staying out at her house until after midnight. We watched football, visited, and laughed. It was a truly enjoyable evening, one which I will never forget. Within six months, she was diagnosed with cancer. Six months later (almost a year ago to date), she passed away.

I love and miss my Nana. She is not the only one that I lost this year. But 2014 also had some truly incredible, unforgettable moments: a family vacation with my parents and sister, a march through Washington DC on the fourth of July, and countless other personal and professional highlights.

In the end, 2014 was a sobering reminder to cherish every moment. And that is our challenge looking ahead to 2015. Love God, love others, and savor the beauty that is life.

Happy New Year!