IN which Jari muses about his relationship with God...
Reality is subjective. Everything, everything I hear, everything I perceive, it all travels into my brain which sorts it out and fits it into categories based on what I know and what I've experienced and probably a gazillion other things. The end result is different for everyone. If I asked two people to pick out blue in a rainbow, will they point to the same shade? Or even the same color? Is this blue? What about this? How many people can even tell that those are different colors? Would knowing that they're different colors mean that one is blue and the other is not? For some people, yes. For some, no.
Likewise, what about the lynx hide on the counter over there? Is it rough or smooth? Some might say rough, some smooth. Someone who works with livestock a lot might consider anything softer than sheep's wool to be very soft. Those who, like me, have worked with beaver fur, might consider cat fur to be very course. Who's wrong? Who's right?
The point is, everyone perceives things different. It doesn't mean the thing they're perceiving is any different, or has any different value or function, or even that one person's perception is wrong. Their perception is reality to them. And sometimes, seeing how someone else perceives something can tell you a lot about them. And sometimes make you think about things you'd never noticed before.
Not too long ago, I read a work by someone who saw God as a mother. At first glance she seemed laid back, even kind of shallow or downright confused, but invariably it was because she already knew how everything fit together; she could see things that you couldn't. Sometimes the world around me seems crazy, and sometimes it seems like God doesn't care or isn't even paying attention. But I find that He always knows what's afoot, and knows when I need to be told what to do, when I need to muddle it out for myself (and hopefully learn from it), and when He needs to step in directly. What at first seems like ineptitude always turns out to be wisdom. In God's time, naturally. :-3
Anyways, all this got me thinking about my own mother, and suddenly I understood the God of the Old Testament a lot better. The same God that raised up armies to punish/enslave His chosen people when they'd done wrong would later accept them back again with open arms, even knowing they'd just do it again, and the fire of God's wrath would rain down on those that did the enslaving in the firs place. Like a mother bear protecting her cubs. She'll give them a swat when they need it. She'll still love them no matter how many times they make the same mistake, and keep right on forgiving them. And no power on earth could keep her from mauling anyone who so much as touches her cubs. A jealous God indeed.
It is true that there is only one God, unchanging and 100% constant. It's also true that everyone sees Him a little differently. To me She's a mother bear.
As Christians, we are the bride of Christ. I've known that for a long time, but it's only just now really becoming meaningful, I guess. I think I finally understand why The Song of Solomon is in the bible. I've got a huge soft spot for sappy love stories. I'm always captivated by the simple devotion, the playful passion, the pure innocence, and the power of the relationships the characters share. How it seems like nothing could keep them apart for long, and no matter what happens, their love overcomes all obstacles in the end. Whenever I read those stories a part of me really longs for that, really wishes that I could have that kind of special someone for which I'd give the world, and I know would do the same. And now I realize I do. That's how Jesus feels about me. And how I should feel about Him. Of course, what they almost never mention in those stories is that those feelings don't just happen overnight. They take time to develop, time spent together. Relationships like that don't just appear out of thin air fully formed. Jesus has known me since before I was born. He knows EVERYTHING about me, and He loves me completely. I'm the one that's learning about Him. I should love Him with everything in me, let nothing come between us, and put all of my trust and hope in the power of our love. I guess that's why I'm here--to get to know and learn to love my fiancée, Jesus Christ.
So that's a collection of thoughts I've come to over recent months. What do you think? I'd greatly appreciate your input!