He picked up the heavy bowling ball, intent on following the pattern of the others. A half grin revealed his sincerity but his every move resembled nothing of a bowler. Turning right to left, he positioned himself catty-corner to the pins. With a series of gyrations and twists he placed the ball on the lane, somehow propelling it toward its goal. Slowly the rock found its way to the destination, and, low and behold, knocked over some large ten-pins. Over the next hour, again and again, he did something identical, showing not a randomness but a marked repetition. In his mind he was bowling. He was autistic.
After several years, some adventures at bowling alleys returned to my memory as a dawning came —
all of us interpret life uniquely.
We all do life with our individual faculties and skill, and much like our autistic friend, varied results may happen, and our methods sometimes seem strange to others.
2 Corinthians 5:19 exclaims to us, ” …God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. ”
and v 9 “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.”
Have you ever thought about what it means to be accepted by God? This can not mean that God accepts us in our sinful self. No, but He removes that sin drenched soul-man to release someone unique, one created in Christ Jesus unto good works which reflect God’s nature, the same nature which sets the sin-captive soul free. Friends, as Christians, we give diligence not to gain acceptance but to live in His acceptance. And then we are given a ministry to bring others into this acceptance by God, in Christ.
Beloved, we are made for Him, our uniqueness is revealed in our union to Him, and in our fellowship with Him. Never were we meant to exist independently of His glorious heart, free from His love, external to His attributes which include His mercy, grace and truth.
So, we approach others after fleshly evaluations no more, but, instead, bring acceptance, never condoning sinful living, but penetrating to the person, allowing God to touch the core of a created one who is, “fearfully and wonderfully made.” see Psalm 139.
Psalm 139:15 teaches:
- “Our substance (frame) was not hid from thee (God), (God did see it; God did understand it altogether, when it was hidden from the eyes of man.)
- …when I was made in secret, (In the womb; even then thine (God’s) eye saw me, and saw the wondrous process by which my members were formed.)
- …and curiously wrought, (Literally, “embroidered.” The Hebrew word – רקם râqam – means to deck with color, to variegate. Hence, it means to variegate a garment; to weave with threads of various colors. The Hebrew word properly refers to the act of “weaving in” various threads – as now in weaving carpets. The reference here is to the various and complicated tissues of the human frame – the tendons, nerves, veins, arteries, muscles, “as if” they had been woven, or as they appear to be curiously interweaved.
- … in the lowest parts of the earth. “(as beyond the power of human observation.) Taken from Barnes’s notes.
Psalm 139:16 continues, Thine eyes did see my unformed substance, and in thy book all my members were written; during many days were they fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.”
We delve into the mysteries of God’s creation but God’s Mercy is well described in His Word. It offers us an “even” place, (free from occasions of stumbling – safety), a place of co-existence with God. Moses was invited to fellowship with God at the Mercy-Seat. Exodus 25. Mercy rejoices, as here, no judgment is made, in James 2:13.
O please let God’s plan and purpose for you find fulfillment in His love. He judged the old independent sin nature at the shedding of Christ’s blood. Union with Him is our freedom, In fellowship, you are free to be you! Love ya
Very well written.
Thanks, Sir