Susan Watkins -- Outside Reading 2

I was very struck when I read this passage the other day:

"The word of God hurts as no sin can ever hurt, because sin blunts feeling. The question of the Lord intensifies feeling, until to be hurt by Jesus is the most exquisite hurt conceivable.... The word of the Lord pierces even to the dividng asunder of soul and spirit; there is no deception left.... There can never be any mistake about the hurt of the Lord's word when it comes to His child; but the point of the hurt is the great point of revelation." -Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, entry March 1

I think that modern American Christianity has sucked a lot of the life out of God because many believers don't want to scare non-believers away with a God that is "wrathful." The church has such a bloody history that nowadays Christians just don't want to offend anybody, lest they get grouped together with the Crusaders or Spanish Inquisition, or some other sore memory. However, in turning God into a sugar-coated wish-granter, only there to comfort and support us in any endeavor of our choosing, we lose Him altogether.

Chambers hearkens back to Otto's mysterium tremendum, proclaiming unashamedly that to speak with God is a terrifying and often painful experience. He lays before us two options: the dulling, numbing practice of sin and indifference or the overwhelming life in the sacred. The first option may be more comfortable, but numbness is one of the first signs to death and will eventually lead there. The second is totally uncomfortable, but brings us closer to the fullness of life we were originally intended for. I'm tired of a "safe" God, like a tired old grandfather who can't life a finger to guide us and is indifferent to our behavior. I long for a steadfast Father, who will love and admonish and grow and rebuke me in order that I might reach my full potential.