Paradox. Two things that don't seem to go together. They seem out of place when united. They don't fit when in the same sentence or thought. We see them if life all the time. It creates a tension. It gets our attention. We notice that there is a disconnect here. It troubles us. It confuses us. It gets our eye or ear for all the wrong reasons. I think we see paradox often in how God's love is spoken of...and in how we depict Him. God is defined as Love...yet is often depicted as a cruel ruler, sitting on His throne, watching the innocent suffer. He is described as a Father who treasures His children. Yet, He is often seen as the One in whom you'd better please...or you're toast...quite literally, burnt toast! God is powerful. Yes, He rules the universe He created. Yes, He made the rules & systems we try to live within. Yes, He holds our very breath... even our eternity in His hands. But why, oh why, have we reduced Him to tyrant? The bible says, "His loving kindness leads us to repentance". Not that our fear of Him, leads us to repentance. Yet, we often use fear as a weapon to draw people into God's arms? Huh? What are we thinking? We see God's loving kindness displayed most perfectly in Jesus. He didn't come as a King to rule, though He had the authority to do so. He came as a child, who would grow into a servant, a man who would ultimately lay down His own life for those He loves. Loving kindness in action. He treated the outcast, the sinner, and the overlooked with the utmost respect and dignity. He loved first. Shouldn't we? At ECHO we see Jesus loving kindness as our model...our heart to emulate. Repentance is a word we don't like. It implies guilt doesn't it? It says I did something wrong and I need to admit it. Man, I hate when that happens. But why? Is it because I am afraid of a God I have let down? Am I afraid of a God that's ticked off at me? Or perhaps, if I take a close look at God's heart, I see a kind heart, one that desires to be in relationship with me, in spite of my mess. If I look closely, I will see a heart in Jesus that desires to forgive. A heart that makes "repentance" easy. One that simply says, "turn from that...and come towards Me...I love you!" Our heart at ECHO is to point people towards that invitation...to come close to the God that oozes loving kindness...and makes turning from our own ways...so much easier. That is God's heart...and Jesus was exhibit #1... may His people be exhibit #2! be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude
ECHO
Tyler, Texas
