One of the foundational beliefs of Wesleyanism is that the God of Christianity is a God who pursues people. For the theologically adept, you know this belief (in some form) as prevenient grace. The idea is that God the Spirit is constantly at work, wooing people to the Godhead; He is pursuing them that they might become part of God's people. Personally, I like this concept a lot. I also think that for those going through the adoption process, this can be quite an encouraging / empowering view. I was reading an article last night and a few thoughts came across: 1) In adoption, parents are relentlessly pursuing a child; they long very much to have that child in their lives and in their arms. The adoptive parents have been working so much, ahead of time, for this to hapen. It is quite similar with God the Spirit.
2) This period where God is pursuing us or even the period where we have responded to God but are awaiting the completion of our salvation, is often a tough time. We are in that "in-between" state; we are in the "already/not yet" state that the Apostle Paul frequently spoke about. The same is often true of adoptive parents. They have filled out many papers, completed many interviews, made numerous trips, paid many funds and dreamt of seeing thier child but they must wait. This wait is tough. But the wait also builds the anticipation and in a way, it makes us groan until the time of fulfillment. Again, the same is true of God and His people.
There are a many ways to think theologically / biblically about adoption. The two ideas above, I think, are quite helpful. Any thoughts?
I like the concept of Wesleyanism a lot too and the picture of God the Pursuer. I also like the picture of God being relentless with us. I like what G.K. Chesterton says,
ReplyDelete"The thing I mean can be seen, for instance, in children, when they find some game or joke that they specially enjoy. A child kicks his legs rhythmically through excess, not absence, of life. Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, "Do it again"; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, "Do it again" to the sun; and every evening, "Do it again" to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we."
I know that's a long quote but I love the picture of God coming after us even though we've disappointed; all the more for those who desire him unsuspectingly.
Great quote!!! I second your comments.
ReplyDeleteBtw, enjoyed seeing you all last weekend. Hope to see you again in the near future. Thanks for inviting us.