The Cross

There is nothing in life that is not already experienced in the Bible. Nothing. You can always find someone who is going through the same thing you are.

How cool is it that a prophet hundreds of years ago went through the same feelings and felt the same pain I feel today?

I just went through a season that made me feel how an ancient prophet felt when his public relationship with God separated him from the people he loved. I have written his conversation with God below, and (in parentheses), I have written how it relates to me…

“When your words came, I ate them; (means: I can’t get enough of what I am reading in the Bible)

They were my joy and my heart’s delight, (means: some of the stuff I read touches me so deeply)

For I bear your name, o Lord God Almighty. (Means: I feel you are inscribed on my soul and DNA and people see me immediately as a believer, and I take joy in that…finally.)

I never sat in the company of revelers, I never made merry with them. (Means: I separated myself from scoffers, non-believers, and skeptics, I stopped partying with people who I thought were superficial…but they are also my friends.)

I sat alone because your hand was on me (Means: I chose to do that out of respect for our relationship, because I felt blessed by you.)

And you filled me with indignation. (Means: But then I felt hurt and lonely because my friends learned to leave me out, and alienate me…and only come to me when they needed a token Christian POV. I mourned the loss of friend affirmation, and I blamed you – and I mourned the loss of my relationships, crying, and full of self pity.)

Why is my pain unending and my wound grievous and incurable?” (Means: I didn’t understand why I was in so much pain and so deeply hurt at the loss of their validation/affirmation.)

Then I found hope and comfort in these words from God in response to the prophet,

“If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; (means: I am here to make you whole again, but you need to look at yourself and realize I am not to blame. You are looking in the wrong place for the love, affirmation and validation you desire. I have never stopped loving you and supporting you. Blaming me is hurtful, and in blaming me you ARE alone.)

If you utter worthy, not worthless words, you will be my spokesman. (Means: Don’t sit there and talk about me and your experience with me and expect people to be interested... Simply be your authentic self - - grounded in me and your words will speak to the hearts of your friends, and they will see me in you.)

Let this people turn to you but you must not turn to them. (Means: You are fed by me so that you can feed them. Don’t seek to be fed by your earthly relationships. You do not NEED it from anyone but me.)

I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified city of bronze (means: I will build you up..make you strong.)

They will fight against you but will not over come you, (means: when you do hang out with your friends --who I love by the way-- who are scoffers, non-believers, and skeptics, your stance will not be shaken; your heart will determine your actions and words: pure, succinct, loving and true)

For I am with you to rescue and save you.” (Means: because I will give you the words and wisdom for all your relationships)

I felt lonely because I was looking for approval and acceptance from earth, when all the while God was pointing out, “when people turn to YOU, you need to turn to ME, your VALUE is measured by me not the people around you.”

God will feed me (vertical) and I will feed others (across: A Cross).