Hi ~

I've written before about the importance of desire and expectation in our spiritual growth. Here’s another example.

Which statement feels more true to you?

God knows me completely, but He loves me anyway.

OR

God knows me completely, and He loves me intimately.

Which statement feels more “natural” to you?

It’s a huge difference, you know.

God knows me completely, BUT . . .

That implies that He knows a terrible secret about you.

I’m guessing we all know what the terrible secret is.

Sin.

And for many, shame.

He loves me ANYWAY.

The implication there is that He may have to hold His nose, but He’ll still give you a hug.

So this first statement--the one that is implied throughout so much Christian teaching--puts SIN at the forefront.

What about the second one? What would you say the second statement emphasizes?

Well, I know the first word that popped into my head.

Relationship.

He knows me completely AND . . .

AND is a word of connection, not distance.

There is no anyway.

He loves me.

Because the veil has been torn, top to bottom, in the death of Jesus Christ, because the way has been opened through the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, He welcomes me.

No nose holding.

I am free of any stench of sin and shame. He has rescued, restored, cleansed, redeemed.

You don’t fully believe it?

Ah, I hope you feel no shame about that.

Instead, with desire and anticipation, you can go before the throne (boldly, as Hebrews 4 tells us). You can say to the Lord,

“I’m having a hard time believing that You rejoice in love for me. That You don’t hold Your divine nose when You consider me. That You welcome me into relationship with nothing between.”

“I want to believe differently.”

“I’m really looking forward to finding out how You’re going to change my thinking, change my heart.”

“I’m looking forward to saying, without reservation . . .

God knows me completely and He loves me intimately.”

As you look to Him for what He really thinks about you, how He really feels about you, He will show you.

With you in longing to hear the heartbeat of God,

Rebecca

Untwisting Scriptures at heresthejoy.com

See my Untwisting Scriptures series

Trauma-informed book coach at Rebecca Davis WordWorking