Generally, I have a sixth sense when it comes to sizing up people.
He's standoffish. Probably just shy, uncomfortable in a
crowd of people he doesn't know. She's warm, genuine. A bit over the top,
but true to herself. These kids just
want to hang out; those ones are looking for trouble.
I'm usually correct – this skill has served me pretty well in
relationships and in life. But I still
make mistakes. I’ve endured friendships
that weren’t meant to be. I’ve given up
on people who I miss terribly, who I feel I’ve let slip through my fingers too
soon.
And Jesus. It took a long time for me to understand who he
is, and I'll never really know all of who he is on this side of heaven.
Why did it take me so long to size up Jesus, to see him for who he
is? I don’t know. But that's him,
isn't it? We aren’t meant to know him all at once.
God gives us snippets of his character when we’re ready, so our human
brains can take him in, bit by bit.
I was fed the seeds of his true nature when I was a kid in Sunday
School. Truthfully, those stories became
familiar but were still confusing. How
did all the animals get into the ark?
Why would God destroy this evil person and yet let those others go? How did Jesus die, and why would he
do such a thing for me, for us?
I wasn’t ready then.
After my Sunday School years, the stories faded until all that was
left were the memories of having learned them, names and situations smothered
by learning that all religion is myth, that our creation story is just that,
that we are each responsible for our life events and their outcomes. That God is far away, if anywhere at all.
During that particular period, those other ideas made more sense.
But life events happen, and we meet new people that we size up
correctly, and they and others are used by God to teach us the truth and lead us back to
the path that he laid out for each of us at the beginning of time.
This is how it happened with me.
The guy at the record store who wouldn’t stop talking about Jesus
when I told him that Jesus was just another guy.
The fierce faith of my Grandmother who declared, “If I wasn’t a
Christian woman!” in an outburst of frustration when my brother and I fought,
bringing us to a full stop.
The high school kids who put on a production at their church that
I wholly related to, bringing me to tears.
The earnest sound of a roomful of adults reciting the 23rd
Psalm by memory at a funeral, something they had all been taught in childhood.
The guy I married who was unapologetic and unembarrassed by his
Christian-heavy upbringing, who never judged me for my nay saying.
I’m so thankful for Jesus and what he did for all of us, but I’m
especially thankful that along the path of life, the seeds of truth that were
planted within me sprouted and blossomed at just the right times, when I was
ready and willing to know the truth.
Over the years, I learned who Jesus is – our Savior and path to
eternity. Any sizing up I think I need
to do goes through him first. I learn
this a little more each time.
Bit by bit.
*******
We proclaim to you the one who
existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him
with our own hands. He is the Word of life. This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he
is the one who is eternal life. He was
with the Father, and then he was revealed to us. We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so
that you may have fellowship with us. And
our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy. 1 John 1: 1-4 (NLT)
Bit by bit. I like that!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anna, I really appreciate it! I appreciate the bit by bit, too, as I'm easily overwhelmed. :)
DeleteI LOVE this post Andrea. I love how you convey your story with such grace and acceptance. It's so true...we all need to go through the different phases, in order to be able to come to the realization for ourselves of our need of Jesus. I also think it's just wonderful how it wasn't just one big event, but lots of little seeds that were sowed into your life...it encourages me that maybe just a word here, or an invitation there...whatever it may be, at some point may make a difference in someone's life story. Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteIt definitely helps me get through life - to know that I need not wait for the one big event. The little events are happening all around me, and it's important for me to take time with them all.
DeleteI love this, Andrea! I always believed each person was put in front of me for a reason, and I firmly believe some of those people were showing me part of who Jesus is. "bit by bit". I love this. A lot.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Katie! I truly believe that our lives are constructed thoughtfully and at a pace designed specifically for each of us to learn all that we are supposed to learn. xo
DeleteBit by bit, is how I prefer it, too. I'd rather spend time with someone showing me, bit by bit, than trying to engulf me fast and quick with what they want me to know. xo
ReplyDeleteOh, yes. Me too, a million times in agreement. Taking time is my specialty, in doing and in learning.
Delete