“That’s Pretty Intimate”

Posted on April 23, 2009 by pastorhh

“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God;

and that is what we are.”

– 1 John 3:1

child-on-beach2

What associations do you make when you hear the word “children?” What attributes come to mind?

When I asked that question in Bible Study on Wednesday morning, I heard the following: “Dependent.” “Living in the present moment.” “Trusting.” “Accepting.” “Respectful.” “Unaware.” “Doesn’t have all the answers.” And finally, “We’ve all been there.”

The Old Testament relationship between God and humanity has a predominant metaphor–that of covenant. A promise between two parties, each with certain expectations to live up to. The New Testament also has a predominant metaphor for relationship between God and humanity: that of adoption, kinship, filial love. As one Bible Study participant remarked this morning, “That’s pretty intimate.”

So it is.

God, our identity as your children is both a comfort and a challenge. Help us to navigate our way through the mysteries of your love. Amen.