Gravity

The gravity of choice

Our belief in gravity does not conjure gravity into existence, we are not that powerful. The truth, authority and judgement of gravity is independent of our belief; we are all subject to gravity, be we conscious or otherwise. 

In the same way, our belief in God, does not conjure God into, or out of existence, we are not that powerful. The truth, love, authority and judgement of God is independent of our belief; we are all subject to God, be we conscious or otherwise.

Seeking understanding of powers greater than us, such as gravity and God, equips us to live life with deeper meaning, purpose, safety and flow. If we fail to accept and surrender to the force of gravity, it is not long before we find ourselves on the losing side of that battle with a few bruises and possibly broken bones. God is an even greater force we are wise to surrender to.

Unlike gravity, God has personality and reasoning, and extends grace and judgement. God is patient, forgiving and intelligent in His interactions with us because He is a living being and He deeply loves each of us. God will lead us through the right circumstances for His name’s sake, and lovingly walk with us through our successes and mistakes, like all loving parents.

Where does one begin to understand the identity and nature of a sovereign, loving, creative, humble, invisible God?

Sometimes we cannot see the forest for the trees. We are so focused on our small lives that we miss the splendour and fingerprint of God in all of Creation, and in the events of history.

The act of Jesus that is celebrated at Easter opens the door to these revelations and deep spiritual truths. To illustrate, let’s imagine.

I have a mate, Kristof, who I have known for a few years. He is one of my knockabout mates who has been with me through many highs and lows. I know Him well but at the same time I sense there is much more to Him. Kristof is a contradiction with hints of wealth and status, yet complete humility and no signs of pretention or prestige.

A few weeks back, Kristof went home to visit his dad in his childhood home, and he invited me to come. I was excited and curious in the hope I would gain more understanding about my friend, and his family, wealth and status.

Kristof specified I was to come as I am, not to bring a gift, to wear something I already own and park my car in the garage when I arrive. Kristof assured me there was no need to be intimidated by his dad or the size of the place, his dad loves all Kristof’s mates. This was the first explicit statement Kristof had said about his dad being impressive in some way.

Kristof went ahead of me and asked me to meet him there, but when I asked him for the address a few times, he refused. Instead, Kristof went vintage on me and wrote the instructions on paper, explaining the streets and turns along the way. GPS would have been much easier I thought, but Kristof assured me his personal directions would be more reliable.

The drive required my patience as I kept needing to pull over to read Kristof’s directions every few turns. When I read his handwriting, I could hear his joyous tone leading me on this mysterious and fun adventure.

The frequent pulling over slowed my trip, but it also added to the enjoyment of the day. I had time to take in the spectacular rugged mountains encamped around lush pastures; unique and bountiful flora hosted animals going about their days with vigorous socialising, play or prey. It had been a while since I stopped and enjoyed the grandeur, detail, beauty and joy of nature that way.

Following the start-stop travel of Kristof’s map, I found my way to his family home. Upon arrival, surprisingly the gates were wide open inward with no security on duty. I wondered why the property was so accessible given the apparent royals living within.

I drove into the grounds, immediately awed by the vast pristine gardens. I leaned out my car window to inhale, the oxygen as though penetrating beyond my lungs, refreshing the depths of my soul. At this point I was well past the starting line of believing Kristof’s family was royal, even the air breathed regal.

I continued to drive up the long driveway taking in the sight of the home, its tall pillars, gold embellishments, and structural design magnificent beyond anything I’d ever seen or imagined. I found the garage and parked my car.

I walked to the front door wondering how Kristof and I had been friends for so long when we come from completely different worlds. As I stood upon the welcome mat, I tried to look confident but I watched my nerves work out through the slight shake of my hand upon the doorbell. I expected an employee to answer the door given the size of the place, but instead Kristof’s dad appeared. The sight of my familiar friend Kristof standing next to him, settled my awe-struck mind.

Kristof’s dad reached out his hand and as our hands connected, I immediately felt his peace, centre and still me. Kristof was right, there was no pretention to this guy, my only impression of him was love, respect and acceptance.

I immediately saw, or perhaps felt, the family resemblance. These men looked to have everything money could buy and yet Kristof had always been humble, authentic and loving. He had never been flashy about possessions or status; he was always accepting of me as I was. He was also that friend who had the courage to stay by my side when times had been tough, or setting me straight when I was about to do a selfish or blind act. 

If only every person with this much wealth and power had hearts and character like these guys. The world would be much kinder and more peaceful. 

After the introduction, Kristof and his dad showed me to my room. I walked through a few splendid rooms with architecture I had never seen, not even in my social reels. We continued up a grand staircase, along an internal balcony hallway, to arrive at my room. When I looked around I saw it had everything I needed, even things I didn’t know I needed, set up so personally to reflect my personality and interests. There were also photos of me from throughout my life, from times I was helping others and deepest moments with my loved ones. Where did these photos come from?

Kristof noticed my look of bewilderment at how this had come about, and told me he personally prepared everything in the room. This was the moment I realised how much Kristof loved me and how well he knew me. It’s as though he had remembered every word spoken and experience I had, to create a welcoming room for me.

Kristof’s Dad then says, “I will leave you to settle in. Remember you can call me anytime, my direct line is on the bedside table. This room is yours; I will keep it this way for if you decide to move in someday.”

Wow! Is this guy for real? This place is beyond amazing! These men are the kindest I have ever known. Kristof’s Dad has immediately fully loved and accepted me into his family and home, because I was invited in by his son, Kristof.

This is heaven, this is what awaits each of us. This was made possible by what Jesus did for each of us, on and beyond the cross.

• Jesus is our Kristof, our loyal, loving and wise friend. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

• The Bible is God’s handwritten map (through the hands of His children), reflected in Kristof’s handwritten map. It is important we pull over and read it often, to be sure we are on the right track. It may seem that following the life map of the Bible slows us down, but it gets us to our destination faster as we take fewer wrong turns.

• The Holy Spirit is the companion we receive, promising to never leave us when we invite Him into our life.

• The gates to the mansion are always open, because there is no darkness in heaven, it is always safe.

• Kristof’s dad depicts our Father God, ready to love and welcome us home. We can find Father God and His house by the instructions given to us in the Bible. Father God accepts and receives us wholeheartedly when we come to Him with His son, Jesus.

• The house, our room in it, is our next home when our body ceases to house us if we choose to be an authentic friend of Jesus whilst we are here on earth.

• Father God’s contact number is prayer, anytime, anywhere. Knowing the voice of God through pages of the Bible helps the line of communication be clearer with far less interference.

Easter is the most holy event in the Christian calendar. It is a time we remember with thanks, Jesus’ death and resurrection. There are centuries of spiritual and historical events to unpack to gain a full understanding of the Easter event. For the sake of a simple read, I will briefly summarise.  

Easter is a time to reflect and celebrate Jesus, His choice to die on the cross for all transgressions for all mankind, and His victory over death leading to His resurrection three days later.

God is holy. All wrongdoings by us as individuals, create an unholiness in us that block us from entering God’s presence. God being justice by nature, means a price must be paid to wipe our unholy history from our personal record. Jesus chose to die as an innocent man, on the cross, to pay for our wrongdoings. He paid our penalty to wipe our slate clean, to make us holy.

Then after three days, Jesus conquered death, because He has the power of God in Him, the power that created the entire universe. Jesus’ victory, his resurrection, cleared our record and restored us to holiness. The spiritual veil that separated us from God was torn open, for us to be presented holy in the presence of the Holy God and have direct access and relationship with Him.

When we accept and respond to the truth and love of God, we receive the gift of redemption, a clean slate. The Holy Spirit comes and enables our communication with the living God of Love, our spiritual Father. The more we draw near to God, the more we grow in His nature, and the less mistakes we make on this earth. We also receive acceptance and adoption into Gods family during our time on earth, and for all of eternity joining him in our new home he has prepared for us.

The Bible speaks of Jesus as the Creator, Healer, Provider, Shepherd, Host, Saviour, Reconciler, Redeemer, and much more. These names of God are given to Him because they are literal life forces that He pours into us each day. Jesus personally delivers these attributes into our hearts, minds, relationships and circumstances, more so when we spend time with Him and follow His advice. When we cooperate with God, when we stop getting in the way of His plan for us, the flow happens with a lot more ease.

The choice remains with us. Do we want to accept God and His gifts during our time on earth and into eternity, or not? God has finished His part, on the cross 2000 years ago; the ball is fully in our court to accept or reject Him.

Some people will choose to believe God, surrender to Him, obey Him and receive His gifts now and into eternity. Some will believe God but not surrender to Him, preferring to hold onto their shame, pride, bitterness, independence, self-righteousness, wealth, or reputation, among other things. This leaves them still burdened and wondering if maybe they will enter the home of God later - only God will determine that. Some will reject God and some will ignore the topic altogether, both options leading to separation from God.  

It is important we understand the gravity of the decision, to accept and surrender to the love of God, or not, and the impact this decision has on our lives now and into eternity.

Remember, our belief in God, does not conjure God into or out of existence, we are not that powerful. The truth, authority and judgement of God is independent of our belief; we are all subject to God, be we conscious or otherwise.

God loves us and wants to share His love with each of us personally, now and into eternity. God’s love is a gift and cannot be earnt. It is our choice to receive Him or not. With arms open wide, He invites you to come as you are.

Suggested prayer

Lord Jesus, please (continue to) show me your Way.

Help me to let go of false beliefs, doubt, regret, grief, anger, shame and pride calloused into my heart and mind, and exchange them for your truth, forgiveness, love, peace and acceptance.

Thank you for paying the price on the cross with your life, for all my wrongdoings so that I have a clean and holy heart to approach Father God.

Help me to hear your Holy Spirit through the pages of your Bible. Amen.

May this Easter be special for you and your family, a time of reconciliation with Father God and with one another, living, loving and growing together.

Gods Word

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave his only born Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Hebrews 10:10 …by which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

John 14:1-7 [Jesus said to his disciples,]“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many homes. If it weren’t so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also. You know where I go, and you know the way.”

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on, you know Him and have seen Him.”

2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if the earthly house of our tent is dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.

Revelation 21:22-27 I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city has no need for the sun or moon to shine, for the very glory of God illuminated it and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk in its light. The kings of the earth bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. Its gates will in no way be shut by day (for there will be no night there), and they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it so that they may enter. There will in no way enter into it anything profane, or one who causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

For deeper reading around the events of Easter, read your Bible or search online, the following chapters.

Matthew 26-28, Mark 15-16, Luke 22-24, John 17-20.