Being With God
Being with God each day is an area where we as Christ-followers strive to be intentional. Keeping this in mind, here is the devotion!
This devotion has three parts to consider:
First - a Scripture Reference
to read and study.
Second - a Quote
(included in the book With by Skye Jethani ) from Henri Nouwen — a man who witnessed the incredible performance of a trapeze troupe. As Nouwen watched the show, seeing one performer flying through the air and trusting that the other performer would be there to catch him, Nouwen saw “theology in motion.”
Third - an Excerpt
written by Skye Jethani from the book With, further examining the meaning behind the metaphor presented by the trapeze troupe as it applies to our relationship with God.
Scripture Reference
1 John 4:13-19 (English Standard Version)
13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because he first loved us.
Quote
"If we are to take risks, to be free, in the air, in life, we have to know there’s a catcher. We have to know that when we come down from it all, we’re going to be caught, we’re going to be safe. The great hero is the least visible. Trust the catcher.” - Henri Nouwen
Excerpt
"… Faith is the opposite of seeking control. It is surrendering control. It embraces the truth that control is an illusion—we never had it and we never will. Rather than trying to overcome our fears by seeking more control, the solution offered by LIFE WITH GOD is precisely the opposite—we overcome fear by surrendering control. But surrender is only possible if we have total assurance that we are safe. We must be convinced that if we let go we will be caught. This assurance only comes when we trust that our heavenly Father desires to be with us and will not let us fall.”
A THOUGHT
Reading through the scripture alongside the quote about the trapeze troupe and the excerpt from the book, it's clear that there's a connection between the concepts of fear and control and ultimately how we view God and interact with Him. Our responses to fear and pursuits for control in the different circumstances we face have the ability to impact and illustrate the depth of the relationship we have with God.
Question for reflection:
Am I surrendering myself to God's perfect love - abiding in Him and letting Him be my "catcher"?
God's peace -
Randi Oliver