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Christianity Today, October, 2009 |

Wrestling with Angels

Come, Lord Jesus

Oh, wait. He's already here.

Carolyn Arends | posted 10/12/2009 09:53AM

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"They do not call it a game of throw," Roy quoted, grinning. "They call it catch."

Oddly enough, I understood exactly what he meant. Spiritually speaking, I've been preoccupied with throwing the ball; this turns out to be a case in which it would be better to receive than to give.

God is the initiator. We love because he first loved us. We're here because he thought of us and welcomed us into his world. Yes, he stands at the doors to our hearts and knocks, but we need only let him in. We don't have to summon him from another country or galaxy. The kingdom of God is already near.

Repent. It's time to play catch.

Related Elsewhere:

More Christianity Today articles by Carolyn Arends are available on our site, including:

Matter Matters | Lessons learned between the couch and a 10k race. (July 27, 2009)

Saying More Than We Can Say | Why the arts matter even during a recession. (June 22, 2009)

Hiding What They Seek | In my desire to be 'seeker-friendly,' I'm often guilty of concealing Jesus. (March 30, 2009)

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October 2009, Vol. 53, No. 10

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Mary Jo

Posted: October 20, 2009 6:21 PM

I grew up hearing plenty of brimstone and fire sermons from the pulpit. I misunderstood reaching out to God as a teenager. I thought I had to have perfect faith to have God accept me. I doubted, therefore I didn't see how I could ever have perfect faith. I wrestled with this issue for a decade until God started calling me to him. I had always wanted a relationship with him, but he was reaching out to me and accepted me as I was. He had always loved me, but I just didn't understand that until I was in my early twenties. I still battled with doubt that he accepted me over the years. I came to a point not to depend on my feelings, but accept scripture. My life has improved since I started accepting scripture as the truth, not how I feel. Thank you for this article.

Kevin

Posted: October 17, 2009 11:02 PM

We all need to be reminded of this. We can think we're firm believers in an ever-present God, but if we could actually see Him standing there in the same room, would we do some of the things we do? Yet, as believers, we claim to believe He really is there. It makes you realize that almost none of us has the faith we're supposed to. Think about preachers who have been guilty of such acts as adultery. You'd think a man of God would be the last person to commit a sin like that, what with God being right there. We all have a long way to go.

Chuck P, Marlton, NJ

Posted: October 17, 2009 7:24 AM

Thank you for the article. I agree that it is powerful and an obligation of spiritual leaders and public worship to model and communicate with accuracy biblical truth. There are a handful of other examples like this one where leaders unintentionally mishandle elementary truth. The classic one is whenever we publicly give thanks to God "for answering our prayer" for a specific request. God who is everywhere and hears all things ALWAYS answers the prayer of a righteous person, if I may oversimplify, with yes, no, or wait. Let's thank God for granting our request, not for answering our prayer this time (by implication he doesn't always).

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