Intro & Background
“Knock, knock.” Oh, I knew who was there! Actually, I was the one who asked Him to come, but I just wasn’t ready for Him right now! It was the time we’d set, but somehow it felt as though He was way too early. How could I let Him in when I looked like this? Maybe if I just stayed quiet, He’d go away…
Maybe you know the feeling, something like a child hiding behind little hands and playing peek-a-boo? I’ve done this so many times as an adult, thinking that if I just ignored harsh realities long enough, they would simply go away. Oh, how sweet life would be – how easy, if that were the case! Then, when I’ve faced the reality and asked God to come to my rescue, I have been reluctant to let Him in… to see the whole picture. What if things aren’t as though I suppose them to be? What if He finds me to be at fault? Somehow I must be brave – I must open the door.
The reality in our world is a harsh one. Aside from my own story, I have heard so many others tell theirs and my journey pales in comparison. I have listened to countless stories of abuse, rejection, abandonment, divorce and betrayal resulting in so many forms of pain and deficiency that it sobers me into our world’s harsh reality.
But, this is not the sole reason for this study. For as much as my heart grieves for those in pain, it is also compelled to reach out with an answer to it. There is an answer to pain. There is freedom from fear & terror, loneliness and despair. There is an end to dysfunction and a life spun out of control, and it is not found by escaping it. This, unfortunately, has been part of my story…
If you are serious about finding freedom then you will have to be brave, for you will find that healing will only come by relying on someone other than yourself. Healing does not come through apathy or denial, but through much courage & trust. Sometimes healing hurts. Sometimes I wonder if it is our pride that gets hurt the most as we allow someone to see us in our weakness. Maybe this is why suffering can be such a great gift.
Maybe you know the feeling, something like a child hiding behind little hands and playing peek-a-boo? I’ve done this so many times as an adult, thinking that if I just ignored harsh realities long enough, they would simply go away. Oh, how sweet life would be – how easy, if that were the case! Then, when I’ve faced the reality and asked God to come to my rescue, I have been reluctant to let Him in… to see the whole picture. What if things aren’t as though I suppose them to be? What if He finds me to be at fault? Somehow I must be brave – I must open the door.
The reality in our world is a harsh one. Aside from my own story, I have heard so many others tell theirs and my journey pales in comparison. I have listened to countless stories of abuse, rejection, abandonment, divorce and betrayal resulting in so many forms of pain and deficiency that it sobers me into our world’s harsh reality.
But, this is not the sole reason for this study. For as much as my heart grieves for those in pain, it is also compelled to reach out with an answer to it. There is an answer to pain. There is freedom from fear & terror, loneliness and despair. There is an end to dysfunction and a life spun out of control, and it is not found by escaping it. This, unfortunately, has been part of my story…
If you are serious about finding freedom then you will have to be brave, for you will find that healing will only come by relying on someone other than yourself. Healing does not come through apathy or denial, but through much courage & trust. Sometimes healing hurts. Sometimes I wonder if it is our pride that gets hurt the most as we allow someone to see us in our weakness. Maybe this is why suffering can be such a great gift.
Healing does not come through apathy and denial but through much courage and trust.
Look up the following verses and write down what stands out to you. Take special note of what your reaction is to these verses; is it positive or do you have a hard time believing what they say for you personally? Write down your thoughts.
Aah, God has a way of revealing His truth to us. If you really want to know if this is truth and not just a nice idea of Paul’s (the writer), ask Him to teach you – but consider what you are asking for. Trust me, it is worth it! The glory really does outweigh the suffering!
- James 1:1-3 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
- Romans 5:3-4 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
- 2 Corinthians 12:9-11 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Aah, God has a way of revealing His truth to us. If you really want to know if this is truth and not just a nice idea of Paul’s (the writer), ask Him to teach you – but consider what you are asking for. Trust me, it is worth it! The glory really does outweigh the suffering!
Now, let’s be really brave and read Revelation 3:14-22. (I do not plan to focus on this whole passage, but thought that it would be good to read the key verse in the context of where it is written in scripture.)
Take a moment and particularly focus on verse 18:
“Here's what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that's been through the refiner's fire. Then you'll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You've gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see.”
How do we ‘buy’ from God? With what can we pay Him? ___________________________________________________________________________
As His child, I want to give God of my best – my best gift, my best service, talents, time, attitudes, etc. But what if He is requiring all of me, as in; not just my best? There is a transaction in payment and that is what God requires of us – all of us. That’s the good, bad, and the ugly. In return, He gives us freedom!
“Here's what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that's been through the refiner's fire. Then you'll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You've gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see.”
How do we ‘buy’ from God? With what can we pay Him? ___________________________________________________________________________
As His child, I want to give God of my best – my best gift, my best service, talents, time, attitudes, etc. But what if He is requiring all of me, as in; not just my best? There is a transaction in payment and that is what God requires of us – all of us. That’s the good, bad, and the ugly. In return, He gives us freedom!
Salvation is our receipt for cancelled debts!
In Conclusion…
I have found that I can only do so much … go so far and then it’s like I hit a roadblock to the very depths of my being. It’s like there's a ‘No Access’ sign posted there at the entrance. I have not found a way by myself to get to that spot where lies the core of fear & pain. It is a pit far too deep. Not only can I not find the way, but I fear that if I truly come upon it I would not survive. There is something far deeper in any one of us than just our skin, our flesh, or our minds. There is something more untouchable. It’s been called our psyche, our conscience, our soul, our spirit, and many have tried several ways to reach and satisfy it. It is our very being, our personality, the essence of who we are. It never goes away, even though our outside body wears away with age (2 Corinthians 4:16). Something deep inside of us stays very alive and hungry. It’s the thing inside of us that needs to be affirmed & appreciated … the spot that is so vulnerable that we can build walls of protection around to keep it from getting hurt again. I think you know what I mean.
So, how is this study about forgiveness? The key verse from Rev. 3:20 is not just about forgiveness, but it certainly outlines some of the principles for it. The One who has forgiven all is standing and knocking. This study is not only about facing & answering the door, but it is also about us facing the inside – the part that we may not want God to see... in fact, we may not want to see it ourselves. Please, take this journey with me. There truly is gold in the journey – the glory does outweigh the suffering! (Romans 8:18)
I have found that I can only do so much … go so far and then it’s like I hit a roadblock to the very depths of my being. It’s like there's a ‘No Access’ sign posted there at the entrance. I have not found a way by myself to get to that spot where lies the core of fear & pain. It is a pit far too deep. Not only can I not find the way, but I fear that if I truly come upon it I would not survive. There is something far deeper in any one of us than just our skin, our flesh, or our minds. There is something more untouchable. It’s been called our psyche, our conscience, our soul, our spirit, and many have tried several ways to reach and satisfy it. It is our very being, our personality, the essence of who we are. It never goes away, even though our outside body wears away with age (2 Corinthians 4:16). Something deep inside of us stays very alive and hungry. It’s the thing inside of us that needs to be affirmed & appreciated … the spot that is so vulnerable that we can build walls of protection around to keep it from getting hurt again. I think you know what I mean.
So, how is this study about forgiveness? The key verse from Rev. 3:20 is not just about forgiveness, but it certainly outlines some of the principles for it. The One who has forgiven all is standing and knocking. This study is not only about facing & answering the door, but it is also about us facing the inside – the part that we may not want God to see... in fact, we may not want to see it ourselves. Please, take this journey with me. There truly is gold in the journey – the glory does outweigh the suffering! (Romans 8:18)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
~Hebrews 12:1-3