Last night I heard someone say they speak respectfully to God,* and are careful to remember their place as a created thing talking to a Creator. It’s an easy position to have, and one that can be emphasized or implied in many church spaces.
But it’s the kind of thing that makes me feel allergic, or hot flashes, or claustrophobic:
The boxing in of ourselves, and God.
I shared in the group, ‘I curse God out sometimes..’ to looks bordering on horror or perplexity.
“Sometimes things are too hard, or I’m too broken, or mad… He can handle it..”
It reminded me of a time I was approached by some Jehovah’s Witnesses. I told them I believed in God and Jesus so they didn’t need to continue with me. But one wanted to share that “Jehovah” was the correct name for God.
His wife stood near so I asked: ‘Do you call your wife, Wife? Or do you use her first name, or maybe say ‘honey,’ or ‘sweetie’?
It’s a signal of relationship and affection. Even with some close friends and fam, I sometimes call them by their first initial, or a sweet nickname. It shows a closeness, a trust, a bond.
Sure, God may be Almighty, All Powerful, All Present…worthy of awe and respect —just like each of us are worthy of respect and awe.., but don’t get locked in religion, aka rules telling you how to talk to God and how to show up.
Sure, God might be the “Secret Bachelor Millionaire” of the Universe, trying to give everyone a chance to choose him without seeing or knowing about His “Wealth” and “Majesty” (I mean really, could anyone resist the most beautiful, powerful and simultaneously gentle/humble and kind thing in the world?), but until that might be revealed, don’t feel limited to using formal addresses or “proper” words.
Come as you are, just as you are, be free with him, be real with him. You don’t even need words..
This is a part of un-conditional Love. ❤️
Hey, I’m Jasmine, hoping you’re doing ok and wondering how do you see talking to God/prayer/relationship? Post a comment below.❤ Ps, you can follow the blog (via homepage) for an email whenever a post drops.
*ps, I use He & His as simple pronouns for God (God/Love/The Universe), but fully recognize God with male and female “identity” (for lack of a better word) as demonstrated throughout the Bible and most blatantly through humanity. Related post, Transgender God, here.
Related Posts:
- Submissive God? 3 Examples of Our Freedom that Might Blow Your Mnid
- 3 Examples of God Gentleness to Help Break Our God Hate
- Jesus: Homeless, Refugee, “Moocher” not Welcome in Today’s Church?!
- God Wouldn’t Fly First Class: 3 Surprising Reasons for ‘Streets of Gold’
- Goodness Trumps Greatness Every Time
- Maybe that Mess Was People Not God?
cover image via Pexels
