Sunday Sentiments

 

This week I started reading the book I mentioned in my Currently post back on Thursday. It's called The Women of the Bible Speak, and it's written by Shannon Bream. I've only read the first chapter, so this is by no means a review, but I did want to share a line from the first chapter that was meaningful to me. 

But before I do that, let me back up to say one other thing that relates to the line I want to share. As you know, I'm slowly crawling my way through Genesis, studying each chapter in-depth, and one thing I noticed in the account of the Fall and in the account of Cain and Abel was this: in reading about each sin, I noticed that God began his interactions with His people by asking a gentle question. 

He didn't blaze down in a storm from Heaven and scream "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE??" He simply asked Adam and Eve, "Where are you?" And then He actually continued with more questions over and over. And then He did the same thing with Cain. "Why are you angry?" 

I took note of it as I did those slow studies, because I hadn't really paid attention to it before. The tenderness of it all really struck me. 

And it struck me again as I read the chapter about Sarah and Hagar in this book I just began. The author mentioned the time when Hagar was out in the desert and God met her and said, "Where have you come from and where are you going?"

Shannon said, "God always gives us an opportunity to be honest with Him."

It made me stop and consider the real possibility that there have been times in my own life when I've done something, and God has given me the chance to be honest with Him - and I totally missed it. 

Those chances don't mean we'll escape consequences, necessarily. Sometimes our actions require something of us. Something difficult or painful, even. But those chances do mean we have an opportunity to be honest, and that is what we are always called to be.

I'm learning two things from this whole idea, actually. One is to be grateful for and aware of the moments when God comes with a gentle question and respond appropriately. The other is to use the same approach with the people around me. Rather than rushing in with accusations and condemnation, what if I arrive with a gentle question that gives an opportunity for honesty and explanations? 

There's no guarantee the people will take the opportunity, but at least I can open the door to see!

I'm thankful today for the opportunities to be honest with God and the prayer of my heart is I will sense them when He offers them...and answer.