You ever go to those BBQ’s where you visit your uncle and then don’t see him until the next BBQ a year from now? What about visit your cousin on the opposite side of the States every Christmas and Easter? These types of things get me thinking. Its not that they are bad things, its just that these people arent really that important to us–at least enough to merit an actually relationship. We see these people as casual family members who we like, but, its not that big of a deal if we only see them once or twice a year.
Many of my friends treat Christ like the distant relative that they see every Easter and Hanukkah. Its not that they don’t like God, cause they do, but its just that they see Christ as that uncle at the BBQ instead of the Father who loves them more than they will ever know. I think that its easer to see God as the uncle becuase its safe. We can shoot the breeze, chatting about the weather and work, and then go home and not have to worry about seeing him until next year. To see God as a Father, as someone who is alive and very present in your life, means opening your life for him to see who you really are. There is no small talk with Fathers. We cant avoid issues with the Father that we can with the uncle. The good thing is that the Father will accept us no matter who we are, and will love us just the same.
I pray for my friends everyday that they no longer see Christ as the distant uncle, but that they begin to see God as the loving Father who so much desires that intimate and loving relationship with his child.
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Ya I’ve been to a few of those. In fact I don’t even think my family likes each other that well. But they all meet up ever year for a few awkward moments of, “so what’s new?”
“nothing really”
“so how has the weather been in Fresno?”
You know lots of that kind stuff. Sometimes I wonder why everyone comes. I think it is because no one wants to be the one who “didn’t come this year” like my one uncle, he did not come to a few our family reunions for two years and he became the new subject for conversion.
These BBQ’s to me also seem like a chance for all my relatives to brag about what they are doing. I don’t think that’s bad it just kind of feels like an A.A. Support Group sometimes.
Posted by Cole Davis
Hi Ryan! Yeah it makes me sad when people only want to spend time with God once or twice a year, because it would blow their minds (in a good way) if they connected with God all the time. Anyway, here is your comment so you don’t feel like Cole gets more than you. =) Speaking of BBQ’s, did you have fun the other day?
Posted by Sarah
Yeah, the BBQ was fun…if you go to my flickr pictures, you will see some pics from the Q.
Posted by Ryan
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