Open Access
Two years ago, my principal received a scathing letter from a parent who asserted that I didn't care about the kids. Since that time, I have had the privilege of getting to demonstrate forgiveness in front of an amazed team of colleagues, and enjoyed the opportunity as well to display (to the best of my failing abilities) what unconditional love looks like.
It has been an interesting journey, to now be serving in the capacity of tutor for this man's son. The one who had sounded on the verge of requesting out my class, rather than continuing on with me for two years of "looping," now stays after his son's writing lesson is finished, questioning me about matters of faith. God's working is an endless source of amazement.
Yesterday's conversation was particularly interesting though. The father, reflecting upon the parental expectation of wanting children to behave immediately, commented that parents don't like my teaching style; that they want the kids to behave NOW, and haven't the patience for putting up with disruptions or disobedience. Wrestling with his notions about whether it was more important to establish a rapport or see quick "results," he continued mulling over the differences: 'Your way takes a much longer time, because you're building throughout the year.'
He went on to observe how I never "shut kids off," or dismiss someone for misbehaving; that my students know that, no matter what they have done, I won't turn them away. It was then, with a mixture of annoyance and wonder, that he concluded, "Even the worst offender still has access to you."
Aye, is that not the most blessed news of the Gospel? Even those who have 'trampled under foot the Son of God and insulted the Spirit of grace' (Hebrews 10:29); who have 'judged themselves unworthy of eternal life' (Acts 13:46), and have all but concluded that they are "unforgivable," still have access to the Father through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:18)! There is no repentant soul whom He will not hear (2 Chronicles 7:14)!
Job states plainly the simple path back:
"'If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored;
if you remove unrighteousness far from your tent...
then you will delight in the Almighty and lift up your face to God.
You will pray to Him, and He will hear you...'" (22:23, 26-27).
And so it is that, even when we have ushered ourselves into our own demise (Proverbs 16:25; 14:12), and a state of filth (Ezekiel 24:13); even when our hearts have raged against Him (Isaiah 37:23; Job 18:4; Isaiah 8:21), and we have set ourselves in strict opposition to everything we have known to be His will (Luke 12:47); even then, as "worst offenders," we are permitted into His presence (Hebrews 10:19-22).
And it is in that glorious truth, broken in reverent awe over how His astounding forgiveness (see Psalm 103:10-12) overwhelms our crushing rebellion (see Ezekiel 6:9), that we grasp how our sin is not the end of our access to our Maker, but the very impetus for our ecstatic praise, by which we cry out to Him with humble wonder, 'Blessed be God, who has not turned away... His loving-kindness from me!' (Psalm 66:20).
It has been an interesting journey, to now be serving in the capacity of tutor for this man's son. The one who had sounded on the verge of requesting out my class, rather than continuing on with me for two years of "looping," now stays after his son's writing lesson is finished, questioning me about matters of faith. God's working is an endless source of amazement.
Yesterday's conversation was particularly interesting though. The father, reflecting upon the parental expectation of wanting children to behave immediately, commented that parents don't like my teaching style; that they want the kids to behave NOW, and haven't the patience for putting up with disruptions or disobedience. Wrestling with his notions about whether it was more important to establish a rapport or see quick "results," he continued mulling over the differences: 'Your way takes a much longer time, because you're building throughout the year.'
He went on to observe how I never "shut kids off," or dismiss someone for misbehaving; that my students know that, no matter what they have done, I won't turn them away. It was then, with a mixture of annoyance and wonder, that he concluded, "Even the worst offender still has access to you."
Aye, is that not the most blessed news of the Gospel? Even those who have 'trampled under foot the Son of God and insulted the Spirit of grace' (Hebrews 10:29); who have 'judged themselves unworthy of eternal life' (Acts 13:46), and have all but concluded that they are "unforgivable," still have access to the Father through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:18)! There is no repentant soul whom He will not hear (2 Chronicles 7:14)!
Job states plainly the simple path back:
"'If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored;
if you remove unrighteousness far from your tent...
then you will delight in the Almighty and lift up your face to God.
You will pray to Him, and He will hear you...'" (22:23, 26-27).
And so it is that, even when we have ushered ourselves into our own demise (Proverbs 16:25; 14:12), and a state of filth (Ezekiel 24:13); even when our hearts have raged against Him (Isaiah 37:23; Job 18:4; Isaiah 8:21), and we have set ourselves in strict opposition to everything we have known to be His will (Luke 12:47); even then, as "worst offenders," we are permitted into His presence (Hebrews 10:19-22).
And it is in that glorious truth, broken in reverent awe over how His astounding forgiveness (see Psalm 103:10-12) overwhelms our crushing rebellion (see Ezekiel 6:9), that we grasp how our sin is not the end of our access to our Maker, but the very impetus for our ecstatic praise, by which we cry out to Him with humble wonder, 'Blessed be God, who has not turned away... His loving-kindness from me!' (Psalm 66:20).
posted by Purple at 11:13 AM
1 Comments:
you made me all teary-eyed.
jerk. :P
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