Read an amazing book this past week called "The Shack". The story is horrible, not horribly written, but just sad. But the main part has given me a totally new view of God - the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. A new sense of His presence in my daily life. How everything is a gift and how everything is essentially all about relationships. Allowing him into my life and entering into a relationship with him. Which will cause all of my relationships to be transformed.
Often Christianity seems to be a lot about performing and going through certain rituals, us trying to get close to God when He's already been close all along. I think in the midst of our busyness and striving to know Him better we just miss seeing Him. Because we're looking to ourselves and what we're trying to do and accomplish, all the spiritual disciplines we are performing, the hours of Bible Study and prayer. I'm not saying that it's wrong. Maybe it's just a question of our hearts' attitude.
Anyways, I have come to a new understanding of who God is and essentially it boils down to the question: "Do I really believe Him to be who He says He is?". Because though in my head I say "yes", my life often shows that I don't . All our questions about suffering and pain, our disappointment with God at times when things are hard and not going well - all of that can be answered if I really believe who God says He is and if I enter into that relationship with Him. That won't make magically transform my life into a fairy tale of blissful happiness. But it will be easier because then I'll know I'm not alone, that He is there with me and that He can use EVERYTHING for His purposes and for His glory.
READ THE BOOK! It's worth it!
