I'm not critically important to "God's work" (though he still loves me desperately)
Case in Point:
This evening I was asked to "teach" a "class" called "Going Deeper" (The quotes add cynical emphasis). So my typical church upbringing would suggest that this class attracts all the folks looking for that last "deep theological truth" that's kept them from totally giving themselves over to God (not suggesting that's true of these folks, just my religious experience in the past). So tonight it was suggested to me by a friend that I share what's been going on inside of me over the last few years (between me and God). I thought that was good advice. So tonight I brought the goods...ready? Wait for it.....
Jesus loves me.
Yep. That's what was brought to "Going Deeper" tonight.
So it's natural for a room full of folks ready to dig in to the DEEP SPIRITUAL TRUTHS OF CHRISTIANITY
to display a tiny bit of disappointment when presented with such an elementary thought.
"Of course Jesus loves me. On to the intelligent stuff."
So here's what happened. I asked them to consider whether they really thought Jesus actually loved them. Write some thoughts, draw some pics, whatever. Just consider it. Everybody moved throughout the room, and I played a favorite song on repeat for a while. At some point I passed out Skyline crackers and Hi-C Blue Blast fruit juice (delicious) and folks took communion in remembrance of Jesus (and the fact that he loves them regardless of what they think of him). SOOOO...we get up, it's time to go, and I can tell there's some stuff going on. Suddenly this one lady just starts talking...about the anger she's carried HER ENTIRE LIFE towards God, how she was sitting there journaling about how much she didn't trust God, how he couldn't love her, how she'd NEVER known anything but ugly, conditional love her whole life, when suddenly something just broke. And all she heard was "I love you." Game over. She just let it all hang out, just kept repeating "Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me!" The place was a wreck. All around folks just started breaking down, shaking their heads at the absurdly simple truth that "Jesus loves them."
So if there was ever any doubt that God somehow "needs" me to espouse truth on his behalf, and tell others why I'm right and they're wrong, tonight was yet again confirmation he's perfectly capable of changing lives on his own. And I am eternally grateful for that.
This evening I was asked to "teach" a "class" called "Going Deeper" (The quotes add cynical emphasis). So my typical church upbringing would suggest that this class attracts all the folks looking for that last "deep theological truth" that's kept them from totally giving themselves over to God (not suggesting that's true of these folks, just my religious experience in the past). So tonight it was suggested to me by a friend that I share what's been going on inside of me over the last few years (between me and God). I thought that was good advice. So tonight I brought the goods...ready? Wait for it.....
Jesus loves me.
Yep. That's what was brought to "Going Deeper" tonight.
So it's natural for a room full of folks ready to dig in to the DEEP SPIRITUAL TRUTHS OF CHRISTIANITY
to display a tiny bit of disappointment when presented with such an elementary thought.
"Of course Jesus loves me. On to the intelligent stuff."
So here's what happened. I asked them to consider whether they really thought Jesus actually loved them. Write some thoughts, draw some pics, whatever. Just consider it. Everybody moved throughout the room, and I played a favorite song on repeat for a while. At some point I passed out Skyline crackers and Hi-C Blue Blast fruit juice (delicious) and folks took communion in remembrance of Jesus (and the fact that he loves them regardless of what they think of him). SOOOO...we get up, it's time to go, and I can tell there's some stuff going on. Suddenly this one lady just starts talking...about the anger she's carried HER ENTIRE LIFE towards God, how she was sitting there journaling about how much she didn't trust God, how he couldn't love her, how she'd NEVER known anything but ugly, conditional love her whole life, when suddenly something just broke. And all she heard was "I love you." Game over. She just let it all hang out, just kept repeating "Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me!" The place was a wreck. All around folks just started breaking down, shaking their heads at the absurdly simple truth that "Jesus loves them."
So if there was ever any doubt that God somehow "needs" me to espouse truth on his behalf, and tell others why I'm right and they're wrong, tonight was yet again confirmation he's perfectly capable of changing lives on his own. And I am eternally grateful for that.
Labels: God, Going Deeper, Jesus loves me
January 30, 2008 at 10:58 PM
Thanks for the reminder, man. Jesus just loves and receives me- as is. Right now. Period. That's freedom and that's life. Father, I repent of cheapening Your love by trying to earn it. top
January 31, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Andrew,
Interesting. Thanks for sharing that.
There is much to be said about the power of suggestion, and the impact of a group of empathetic like thinking people.
It's why group therapy, and encounter groups and interventions have been widely employed and so successful in alcohol and drug abuse, battered wife syndrom victims, those who were entranced by cult membership, and other addictive activities (i.e.Weight Watchers).
Commonality of experiences, shared "beliefs" and cultural upbringing helps create a bond and a comfort level for the group. The opportuity to "testify" ("hi,my name is John, and I'm an alcoholic... today I felloff the wagon and kicked my dog ...etc.") at these type of sessions is meant to intensify that bond, and be a catylist for catharsis.
The cathartic effect is intensified when the group can identify with a particularly emotional participant's "pain". The closer the cultural, belief system, and identification with "community" the greater the cathartic effect. Naturally, people with the most fragile emotional state will be the primary "beneficiaries", they have the most to gain, least to lose.
Glad to see the principles work as well in your session as they do in the secular world. As long as the subject's ability to function improves,thats what's important.
Hump top
January 31, 2008 at 1:41 PM
Ps: sorry, just a cautionary note: The perceived benefical "breakthru" effect may, however, be shortlived and superficial. If the underlying cause of this woman's discomfiture / pain isn't addressed the wound is simply being salved, while the root of the problem goes untreated. top
February 3, 2008 at 7:41 PM
thx 4 sharing AP. it is all so simple. the awesome thing is that God is patient with us - even when we try to write him off as some emotional and irrational response. He still pursues us - relentlessly.
Yes. He's THAT big. top