Sunday, August 9, 2009

RDM #6 - Higher Ground


After posting guest posts from friends of mine for the last few weeks, it is time to do another Rainy Day Monday post from my own archives. Here's a little something I put together in February called Higher Ground. It is something that has been on my mind again lately, so I thought I would share it with you.


HIGHER GROUND


And every hour of every day I'm learning more
The more I learn, the less I know about before
The less I know, the more I want to look around
Digging deep for clues on higher ground...
(
Higher Ground - UB40)




I used to love this song when I was at school. I don't know whether it was the cool melody line in the chorus, or the fact that the lyrics made no sense. I could nod my head and pretend I understood, and that this was just too deep.

Now, many years later, I think that these words kind of describe my relationship with God. Over the last few years I have been trying to learn more about him, but I find that the more I learn, the less I understand. Or, the more I learn, the harder it becomes for me to understand. As a child I was content with what I had, now as I learn more, I start to realise that God wants more from me, and less. All he really wants is a relationship, and then for everything to flow out of that. So simple, but also so difficult. Following rules I can do. Reading and learning I can do. Being kind to others, well.... I can try. Loving God and wanting him only for him? Can I really? I don't know. It's a hard one.

Over at my other blog I did a post titled "It's not just about the chocolate" in which I talk about the fact that as Christians we need to be focused not just on eternity, and what God has done for us, but also on the now, and who he is to us. At least that's what I was going for, it might just be a post about chocolate. I never can tell.

In theory, the idea that God is seeking a relationship with us first and foremost, and that this is more important than our actions, is so liberating. But it scare me too, because I don't know whether I am up to the challenge. I have never been good at relationships. I am getting better, but there is still a long way to go. So I guess the more I learn, the less I know about before.

But I'm still digging deep for clues on higher ground.

Don’t forget to leave a comment in the comment section below, and if you are also taking part in Rainy Day Monday then put a link to your RDM post either in the comment section, or in the Mister Linky Widget.


4 comments:

  1. Love this post! I've slowly been making this same connection. I was raised in a christian home where I was told things like "your old sin nature is sticking out", "you need to go to your room and get in fellowship", and the ever constant reminder to "confess my sins". I began gauging my relationship with God by my mother's approval or disapproval. There was no relationship in my mind and things really didn't go beyond was I leading a Christian life or not. God has slowly begun showing me that He "is seeking a relationship with us first and foremost, and that this is more important than our actions". Thank you for sharing - I am really enjoying your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think relationship- whether with God or with others- is the last thing we are prepared to give.
    It requires more from us (and less, as you stated). Somehow, even with those we love, we find ourselves grabbing for the chocolate, or giving chocolate while trying to skirt around the relationship.

    The relationship makes the chocolate all the sweeter!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love the honesty in this post. thanks for keeping it real. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. How grateful I am to be pulled ever upward by Him, especially on those days I feel I'm sliding downward on my own.

    ReplyDelete

Say Hoo Ha Ha!