Monday 26 October 2009

Background

I heard a story once, from a man who had been on holiday inIsrael. He was strolling through Jerusalem and watching the crowdsgoing about their business or simply enjoying their leisure(perhaps it was in a less troubled age). Ahead of him was a family,with a young boy riding a bit unsteadily on his bicycle. The littlelad fell off and began to cry. He ran back to his father in tears.And this is what he said: "Abba! Abba!" (which means Daddy!Daddy!)

When people begin to take seriously God's amazing offer ofunconditional love, remarkable things can happen. I have beenamazed during the past year by colleagues and friends who have toldof people inquiring about the possibility of coming to church."What do I have to do before I can come?" some people ask. It'salmost as if they think there's a test for admission: pass it andyou will be welcome at church; fail it and you will be turnedaway.

One of the 20th century's great theologians, Paul Tillich,published a collection of sermons under the title The Shaking ofthe Foundations. I have it on my shelf. In it there is one calledYou are Accepted, where he speaks to our fear of being rejected,our anxiety lest we be found wanting and shunned, and our dread ofnot fitting in. For Tillich, the heart of the gospel (the good newsof Jesus) is the discovery - in total contrast to these inneranxieties - that 'you are accepted'. That God really does love youas you are. God might well - indeed probably does - long to seechange in you, but God also knows that change of that kind can comeonly when you have realised how utterly secure you are in God'slove. God is not stupid enough to imagine that you can fix yourselffirst.

To Ponder

Does the life of our churches spell out inunmistakable terms the unconditional love of God? Why, or whynot?

Is this a message that you have heard, deepwithin yourself?

If your answer is 'Yes, I have', think about howthat happened. How would you want to share that experience withsomeone else?