And I think that there's something to that, especially in the context of Christianity. Keeping eyes to the past, with out heads in the future. It's vitally important to remember where we came from, so we can be all the more grateful for what we have now.
On that very subject, I was having a really intriguing conversation with my best friend last night about Judaism. Sam was raised as an orthodox Jew, meaning that her family very strictly adheres to the rules set forth in the Torah. Last night when we went to dinner after work, we had a really in depth conversation about the fundamental differences between our beliefs. For our Jewish brothers and sisters, God is not merciful, and sins are never forgiven, simply pardoned for the time being. One of their biggest holidays of the year is Yom Kippur, the one day that they have in the entire year when they ask for their sins to be pardoned. They fast and spend all day in shul (church) asking for their sins in the past year to be pardoned so that they may have another year to live and outweigh their sins with mitzvahs, or good deeds.
But fundamentally, guys, we believe in the same God. After all, our Messiah was a Jew. It's just so interesting to look at where we came from, and where we are now.
It was so intriguing to me to see how much changed when our Heavenly Father sent His own Son down to Earth for us. God incarnate, Jesus must have brought out the kind, forgiving God that we know and love today. It's interesting the compassion that comes when you personally relate to something for the first time. I've heard stories time and time again of men and women that "hate children" or "don't get along with children", but the first time that they hold their own newborn baby in their arms, everything changes. That child is not a mysterious and wonderful gift-- and they want nothing more than to spend every moment with and give everything for that child.
That's almost how I imagine things went with God. He's always been the image and embodiment of Love, but the second He gave His Son to the world, He gained a compassion for all of the people that Jesus was interacting with.
At least that's my theory. Who am I to try and define God, or put Him in a human box? All I know is that the more and more I get to know Him, the more and more awesome he becomes.
But back to the "looking back" idea. I've been reading 1 Samuel in my personal Bible time, and I find it so intriguing and almost underestimated.
One of the things that struck me about the people in this time period was that they found joy in exactly the right things. There was one point where the Ark of the Lord was kind of in limbo, being passed around to a bunch of different peoples (because someone stole it, and God essentially struck everyone who was in possession of the Ark who wasn't an Israelite with some kind of awful plague. Give me back to my people!!). And when the Israelites finally got the Ark back and brought it back into the camp, the Israelites literally cheered so loud that the enemy's army (who were like half a mile away) heard them. The word of God is in the house!! I just thought that was so awesome that they had so much joy over the word of God. What if we started cheering every time we saw a Bible? Besides being looked at like we're fools, someone would undoubtedly say "Dude, it's just a Bible. Calm down."
Just a Bible? Just a Bible?!
Folks, this is the closest thing that we have to being able to ask God any question about anything ever. There is no way that we will actually know what God thinks about everything all the time, but we were given this book-- and it has a LOT of answers in there. It's not just a Bible. It's the Holy Word of God!
Sorry, I'll get off my soap box. But really. Just a Bible?
Okay, I'm seriously done now.
One last thing I want to mention.
"It is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves: for the battle is the Lord's." 1 Samuel 17:47
Take a second. Read it again.
Amazing, right? Our God is so powerful that he doesn't even need to bring weapons into the battle, because He's already won. The battle is the Lord's. Our God is gentle and kind. He saves with kindness and love. Because ultimately, He wins. Every. Single. Time.
That has provided me with so much food for thought in the past couple of days, and I hope it will strike a similar chord with you.
God bless you all! Have an amazing weekend!
And, if you're in Greeley, come to Mudhouse tonight! It's a night of extended worship from 8-10pm-- and it's gonna ROCK.
711 10th St. @ the Bel-Air (right by Zoe's). Be there :)
