acceptance

Last night I hung out with some guys at a Celebrate Recovery meeting. One by one they poured out their lives and desperate need for God. One dude shared that the only thing between him and a drink is God. If he takes that first sip, his life is over.

My favorite verse in the Scriptures is Romans 5:8. “God demonstrates His own love for us this way-while we were still sinners, Jesus died for us.”

God is pursuing me-He is right behind me, waiting-even when I have no interest in Him and am doing my own thing. I can remember times when I was younger basically giving God the finger. Yet, He still pursued me. I have to pause to believe this still. That is a whole kind of different love that does not seem natural to me.

When I turned around, He was right there to meet me and accept me as I was.

As I follow Him through my life, this love-His agape love- is becoming more real in my life. I desire to love Him, and others, the way He loves. Words like: Unconditional, accepting, from a view of love that excites me.

Reminds me of something I wrote to my friends last year:

Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2007 18:11:47
Last night I went to my first AA meeting.

Ok, I was there to support my new friend who was leading the discussion and he asked me to meet some of his fellow alcoholics.

I will not forget this night.

My friend shared about how change happens in your life when you are in a place where you are unconditionally accepted-this is what this group and time and place are for.

For the next 45 minutes, person after person shared their struggles and thoughts and victory stories with alcohol.

“I finally found a place here where you all know my shi…, and still think I am okay”

“You all accept me just as I am”

“I found a place where I can be who I am and not have to pretend.”

“When I am not here, I am lost and vulnerable.”

“I got tired of pretending and here I don’t have to.”

“This fellowship is what I have always needed and why I come every day.”

It went on and on.

My buddy said he goes every day and most days two times since he got out of jail a couple months ago.

He also shared with the group that he not only needs this group, he needs his new church family and especially Jesus.

As I left, I thought if Jesus came back tonight this is where he would have been. He would have loved hanging out with those who are desperate and know it.

I think He might have also said this is what church and small group should be like-coming just as you are, desperate for help because you cannot do it yourself and in needing to be around others who feel the same way.

It really made me think.