The good and beautiful God, week 1

Interesting. I assigned myself to write the Chronicle article coming up next Sunday. Since we've no rehearsals, I thought I'd have time to read the transcript and write at home. Before going home, though, I made a pit stop at Mary Hill Theological School to visit my friend Argel who invited me to journey through James Bryan Smith's "The Good and Beautiful God." He gave me the first chapter to read and we'll meet again Saturday for a short discussion.

I'm hating work as a marketer for PETA. I would have love it, except for one person I shall nickname Mud Frakka. Mud Frakka is not helpful, bossy, is filled with issues, and more sour than muriatic acid. Mud Frakka has absolutely zero leadership skills. Now I mean not to pass judgment upon Mud Frakka. I wasn't there when Mud Frakka was growing up. I don't know if Mud Frakka has had a difficult childhood. But working with Mud Frakka is difficult. Mud Frakka is unreasonable and snotty. She's a persona nega vibés. Yes! I coined a phrase.

Each time I see her I bring out my pencil, point it at her, think happy thoughts, allow these happy thoughts to fill me, and then declaim: Expecto Patronum!

So of course I'm wondering what God wanted me to learn from Mud Frakka. I'm sure it's there somewhere. The truth is, whenever the thought of "What does God want me to learn in this?" comes up, I immediately brush it off. Arrogance, yes. Stubbornness, right on.

Veck and I were worried about finances. That's what we talked about when I arrived home. Veck asked, "What is the Lord teaching us?" So we prayed from our hearts. We cried out to God. God answered, "I have already answered your prayers."

The next few minutes were the sweetest moments of my life. Dana would point to her Mommy's cheek, so I'd have to "guzzle" Veck's cheek. Then Dana would point to her cheek and I've to guzzle her, too. She'd take turns pointing to Veck and to herself, and we were all laughing all the time. Veck, having forgotten all her worries, fell asleep.

I turn on my computer to see if I already received the transcript of last Sunday's message in my inbox. It's not there. So much for wanting to be spiritual and stay up all night to write and meet tomorrow's deadline. I meditated for 20 minutes (okay, just 17) and then I tried to recall the hip hop choreography we were taught last night. Then I did push ups. Still no transcript.

I did see this in my inbox, though: Metaphors, by John Eldrege.

The Bible uses a number of metaphors to describe our relationship to God at various stages. If you'll notice, they ascend in a stunning way:

Potter and clay. At this level we are merely aware that our lives are shaped-even broken-by a powerful hand. There isn't much communication, just the sovereignty of God at work.

Shepherd and sheep. At this stage we feel provided for, watched over, cared about. But beyond that, a sheep has little by way of true intimacy with the Shepherd. They are altogether different creatures.

Master and servant. Many, many believers are stuck in this stage, where they are committed to obey, but the relationship is mostly about receiving orders and instructions and carrying them out.

Father and child. This is certainly more intimate than being a servant; children get the run of the house, they get to climb on Daddy's lap. These fortunate souls understand God's fatherly love and care for them. They feel "at home" with God.

Friends. This stage actually opens up a deeper level of intimacy as we walk together with God, companions in a shared mission. We know what's on his heart; he knows what's on ours. There is a maturity and intimacy to the relationship.

Bridegroom and bride (lovers). Here, the words of the Song of Songs could also describe our spiritual intimacy, our union and oneness with God. Madame Guyon wrote, "I love God far more than the most affectionate lover among men loves his earthly attachment."

Where would you put your relationship with God? Why did you choose that "level"? Has it always been that way?

(The Journey of Desire Journal & Guidebook , 150)

A quick heart check tells me I was once at Bridegroom and Bride, and have slid down to Master and Servant. I keep thinking, is this part of growing up? An adolescent Christian growing a little distant from his Parent? Nothing could be further from the truth, I realize. God wants me to grow closer and closer to Him, not apart.

I thought I'd check out Argel's handout. And boom! It talks about befriending Christ. It reads a bit like TAW. Essays, then an exercise, then a check-in. The first exercise is to get as much sleep as I need. I've an 8AM meeting tomorrow I don't want to go to. I've to wake up 5AM to do morning pages. Sleep! James Bryan Smith says.

Now I know why there's no transcript in my inbox to work on. God wants me to sleep. To surrender.

Good night!