Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God. Turn, then, and live. ~ Ezekiel 18:31-32
I've noticed that there is a huge divide among Christians as to who God is. Or rather, what God is like.
Sadly, I think the pervading view of God is one of an angry, vengeful God. A God who makes us chastise others - calling out their sins. Judging them.
This God seems happy to consign sinners to the fiery furnace for eternity.
And while it is clear that God does call us to seek forgiveness and to repent - to turn away from our sinfulness - that desire comes from wanting us to live.
And to live fully.
When think of the sins that I have committed, I realize that the definition of sin as something that separates us from God is apt. And separating from the Beloved - the One from whom life comes - is a kind of death.
This other view of God - the one that I believe is true - is that of a God who wants us to be well. Whole. Who wants us to be as close as a child is meant to be with a parent.
One who knows that sin takes us away from that wholeness and One who will do everything possible to bring us back to life.
Keep turning me back to you, over and over Holy One, until I finally, fully realize that is where I am meant to be. Amen
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