I’m sure many of us are familiar with the story of Adam and Eve. Even if we aren't religious, we know the story inside and out. Adam was alone, God created Eve, Eve sinned, Adam sinned, women are cursed, the end. That’s that, right?
This story has been the justification for the mistreatment of women for years. There are those who believe that because Eve tempted Adam to sin, all women are inferior, weak, and easily overcome. Some cite this account as the beginning of misogynistic tendencies in the Christian Church.
I wish I could say that these allegations of misconduct toward women are invalid, but I cannot. What I can say is that I know this was never God's plan. I believe that the abuse and the manipulation of His daughters hurt God more than it could ever hurt us. I know how much my earthly father loves me and how angry he would be if anyone hurt me, and I can't help but see my heavenly Father reflected in that.
Eve messed up. There's no denying that fact, but maybe we can shed some light on this situation. In my last post in this "series" (God's Daughters: The First Woman), I left off just after the creation of woman. I want to pick up right there.
In Genesis 3, Satan, in the guise of a snake, approaches the woman. Now, why did he approach the woman first? I have actually heard it postulated that, because the woman is the "weaker vessel", Satan found her an easier target than the man.
I don't buy that for a second.
The first thing the snake said was, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'" (Genesis 3:1)? This question is very revealing in a couple of ways. Most importantly, it was a challenge to Eve. What he was really asking was, "Is God so unjust that He won't let you eat any of this delicious-looking fruit?" It was not a fair question, since God had said in the previous chapter that they could eat of the fruit of all the trees of the Garden except one. Secondly, it was phrased negatively - has God said you may not eat. God's original statement was phrased positively - you may eat. Satan's phrasing would immediately make one question the will and the affection of God.
As a loving daughter, Eve tried to defend her Father: "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die'" (Genesis 3:2, 3). In her retort, Eve misquoted God. God never said that Adam and Eve could not touch the fruit. In fact, according to the Biblical account, Eve hadn't been created when God gave this particular command. Eve had received her information from Adam. We don't know if Adam told Eve she shouldn't touch the fruit. Perhaps he said that to her in order to ensure her protection, or maybe it was simply a miscommunication. Whatever it was, it caused a major problem, and I believe that the enemy knew it. He knew that Eve had not been given this directive first-hand, so he could manipulate the information to his benefit. It had nothing to do with Eve's physical, emotional, and spiritual strength.
Satan responded by saying, "You will not surely die... For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil" (Genesis 3:4, 5). We know what happened next: Eve's eyes were taken off the right path, and she was directed toward doing what she knew to be wrong. Then, she took the fruit. As soon as she touched it and didn't die, Eve must have felt that God was lying to her. She ate the fruit.
Satan was incredibly cunning. Not only did he question what God had said, he caused Eve to question her very identity. He told her that by eating the fruit, she would be like God. Eve had already been created in God's image. She couldn't become any more like God.
One of the questions that comes to mind when pondering these things is... what was Adam doing while his wife was thus tempted? In Genesis 3:6, we find the answer: "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it" (emphasis mine). Adam - who had heard God's original command - didn't step in to correct the serpent's sly accusations. Adam didn't protect his wife when her existence was being attacked, and he didn't stop Eve from eating the fruit. This was a monumental failure on his part, and I believe that we have seen the consequences of Adam's inaction in the attitudes and lifestyles of men today. (That's a completely separate topic, however, and I will not address it here.)
Adam fails again when God confronts the couple about their sin. Instead of taking responsibility for his own actions, Adam says, "The woman you put here with me - she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it" (Genesis 3:12). Not only does Adam place blame on Eve, he subtly charges God with responsibility for his sin because God's creation had tempted him. I'm sure it must have been a rocky point in Adam and Eve's marriage.
God did not address this issue at that moment. Instead, He turned to Eve and asked for her version of the story. Eve told the truth: "The serpent deceived me, and I ate" (Genesis 3:13). She accepted the consequences of her actions, and she watched as an immovable barrier was constructed between her and her loving Creator.
Yes, Eve had sinned. She had messed up, erred, blundered, but she hadn't ruined everything. Neither had her husband - her partner in crime. There was hope on the horizon, and God loved His children too much to let them go that easily.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Sex Talk
Sometimes I find that I can have the deepest and most honest conversations with people who don't necessarily agree with me. If we come together with mutual respect, we can offer discussion points about divisive topics without actually being divisive. These kinds of friends are invaluable. Hold on to them!
If you read my last blog, you know that I'm going through a difficult time in my relationship with God. I was struggling with what I have always believed and wondering if I still truly believe it. It's a scary thing to be feeling because I have invested so much of my life in my relationship with God.
I was recently talking with a very dear friend of mine, and a subject arose about which we have differing views: premarital sex. Now, I'm not going to lie and say that I never think about sex. I'm a 26-year-old virgin; of course I think about sex! It's almost impossible not to. We live in a culture in which sex is commonplace. In fact, if you haven't lost your virginity by the age of sixteen, you're considered almost alien. It was amazing, though, how much I learned during our conversation. When I was confronted with someone who felt differently about the situation, I realized how important the topic is to me.
I once attended a party, and my friends were standing around criticizing anyone who was unrealistic enough to try and wait to have sex until marriage. I raised my hand and said, "That would be me!" I remember the awkward and disbelieving looks I received. The host of the party actually called me later to apologize because he felt so awful that my lifestyle choice had received such judgment.
Most of my friends are not Christians. This does not bother me at all. In fact, I cherish their unique viewpoints, and I love the avenues God has opened for me with them. However, it can be difficult to maintain my beliefs when I'm being encouraged on every side to disregard them. I even found myself changing my responses to their questions. Instead of "I want to wait until marriage," it became "I hope I can wait until marriage." Please know that this did not happen right away. It was a gradual wearing away of my defenses. In fact, I was shocked when I first heard myself saying it aloud.
I began to think that maybe I shouldn't wait. After all, I know many married couples who had sex before they were married, and they turned out all right. Maybe I could really consider it if I found someone who I truly loved but wasn't ready to marry. The world has changed, and perhaps I need to change with it. And then I talked to a married woman who hadn't waited. Years later, she still regrets it - not because there was something wrong with her marriage, but because she hurt her heavenly Father. For years, she lived in fear that her daughter would ask her that question: "Did you and Daddy wait?" I don't want to live with that fear. I want to be able to say to my future children, "We did things God's way, and it was worth it."
We live in a world that treats sex as though it is casual. We are inundated with explicit images when we walk through a mall, turn on a television, or go to a movie theater. Even reading the covers of magazines in the grocery store check-out line can cause our minds to be transported to the intimacy of the bedroom.
Author Rob Bell maintains that there are two central attitudes toward sexuality: animals and angels. The animal attitude suggests that we have primal cravings that cannot be denied or helped, so they should be acted upon without hesitation. To the people who think this way, sex is basic biology and pure instinct. On the angel side of it are those people who completely deny the fact that they are sexual beings with desires and urges. Bell says, "Denying and stuffing and repressing never work because it's a failure to acknowledge what is central to being a human being." Both are out of balance with how God intended sexuality to be.
The fact is that humans are different from every other creature in existence. We discuss differences between right and wrong, we can make moral decisions, and we are romantic and idealistic. In the wild, you never see a duck heartbroken over the fact that her boyfriend didn't call after engaging in romantic relations. We are unique because we were created in the image of God Himself.
One of the problems is that we lack a reverence for the very fact that we are created in the image of the living God. We treat our bodies as if they're nothing special, forgetting that God lovingly crafted us from the dust of the earth - shaping, forming, and molding us into a form that was pleasing to Him. In 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20, the apostle Paul writes, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body."
I don't know how much you know about the Bible, but the Jewish temple was a holy place. Only a select few could get past the outer courts and into the place where the manifest presence of God resided. There were intricate ceremonies and rites that had to be performed so that the priest who entered God's presence would not be struck down. Thankfully, we don't have to do this anymore. Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross enabled us to come before the Lord anytime we like. However, to compare our bodies to such a holy place is a huge deal.
Only a few verses before, Paul had said, "'Everything is permissible for me' - but not everything is beneficial. 'Everything is permissible for me' - but I will not be mastered by anything" (1 Corinthians 6:12). If everything is permissible, then what's wrong with giving into our sexual urges? The point is that God may not withhold blessings from us because we have sex outside of marriage, but it doesn't mean that it's what He wants for us.
I love what Jason Evert wrote in his book, If You Really Loved Me: "Just because a person is capable of physical intimacy, it does not mean that he or she is capable of the other kinds of intimacy that hold a marriage together. Because sex has the power to bond, the experience may seem wonderful in the initial stages of a relationship and both partners will feel quite 'compatible.' But think about a couple you know who has been married for fifty years. They are sitting there on the front porch swing, smiling with all their wrinkles at each other. Do you think it is because they are so sexually compatible? They are still together because they have been refined by the fires of love, not burnt by the counterfeits of lust."
I understand that not everyone is going to agree with me. Whether you do or not, I hope that you come to view sex as more than just an incidental connection. I know that I desire God's best for my life. I'm willing to put my own desires on hold so that I can fulfill God's plan. According to 1 Corinthians 13, love is not self-seeking. When I do have sex, it won't be because I'm looking for self-gratification because I can't control my inclinations any longer. I'm holding out for something that is infinitely better: authentic love based upon self-sacrifice, mutual respect and admiration, and a sense of connection that goes deeper than just the physical.
Works used:
Bell, Rob. (2007). Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections Between Sexuality and Spirituality. Michigan: Zondervan.
Evert, Jason. (2004). If You Really Loved Me. California: Catholic Answers, Inc.
If you read my last blog, you know that I'm going through a difficult time in my relationship with God. I was struggling with what I have always believed and wondering if I still truly believe it. It's a scary thing to be feeling because I have invested so much of my life in my relationship with God.
I was recently talking with a very dear friend of mine, and a subject arose about which we have differing views: premarital sex. Now, I'm not going to lie and say that I never think about sex. I'm a 26-year-old virgin; of course I think about sex! It's almost impossible not to. We live in a culture in which sex is commonplace. In fact, if you haven't lost your virginity by the age of sixteen, you're considered almost alien. It was amazing, though, how much I learned during our conversation. When I was confronted with someone who felt differently about the situation, I realized how important the topic is to me.
I once attended a party, and my friends were standing around criticizing anyone who was unrealistic enough to try and wait to have sex until marriage. I raised my hand and said, "That would be me!" I remember the awkward and disbelieving looks I received. The host of the party actually called me later to apologize because he felt so awful that my lifestyle choice had received such judgment.
Most of my friends are not Christians. This does not bother me at all. In fact, I cherish their unique viewpoints, and I love the avenues God has opened for me with them. However, it can be difficult to maintain my beliefs when I'm being encouraged on every side to disregard them. I even found myself changing my responses to their questions. Instead of "I want to wait until marriage," it became "I hope I can wait until marriage." Please know that this did not happen right away. It was a gradual wearing away of my defenses. In fact, I was shocked when I first heard myself saying it aloud.
I began to think that maybe I shouldn't wait. After all, I know many married couples who had sex before they were married, and they turned out all right. Maybe I could really consider it if I found someone who I truly loved but wasn't ready to marry. The world has changed, and perhaps I need to change with it. And then I talked to a married woman who hadn't waited. Years later, she still regrets it - not because there was something wrong with her marriage, but because she hurt her heavenly Father. For years, she lived in fear that her daughter would ask her that question: "Did you and Daddy wait?" I don't want to live with that fear. I want to be able to say to my future children, "We did things God's way, and it was worth it."
We live in a world that treats sex as though it is casual. We are inundated with explicit images when we walk through a mall, turn on a television, or go to a movie theater. Even reading the covers of magazines in the grocery store check-out line can cause our minds to be transported to the intimacy of the bedroom.
Author Rob Bell maintains that there are two central attitudes toward sexuality: animals and angels. The animal attitude suggests that we have primal cravings that cannot be denied or helped, so they should be acted upon without hesitation. To the people who think this way, sex is basic biology and pure instinct. On the angel side of it are those people who completely deny the fact that they are sexual beings with desires and urges. Bell says, "Denying and stuffing and repressing never work because it's a failure to acknowledge what is central to being a human being." Both are out of balance with how God intended sexuality to be.
The fact is that humans are different from every other creature in existence. We discuss differences between right and wrong, we can make moral decisions, and we are romantic and idealistic. In the wild, you never see a duck heartbroken over the fact that her boyfriend didn't call after engaging in romantic relations. We are unique because we were created in the image of God Himself.
One of the problems is that we lack a reverence for the very fact that we are created in the image of the living God. We treat our bodies as if they're nothing special, forgetting that God lovingly crafted us from the dust of the earth - shaping, forming, and molding us into a form that was pleasing to Him. In 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20, the apostle Paul writes, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body."
I don't know how much you know about the Bible, but the Jewish temple was a holy place. Only a select few could get past the outer courts and into the place where the manifest presence of God resided. There were intricate ceremonies and rites that had to be performed so that the priest who entered God's presence would not be struck down. Thankfully, we don't have to do this anymore. Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross enabled us to come before the Lord anytime we like. However, to compare our bodies to such a holy place is a huge deal.
Only a few verses before, Paul had said, "'Everything is permissible for me' - but not everything is beneficial. 'Everything is permissible for me' - but I will not be mastered by anything" (1 Corinthians 6:12). If everything is permissible, then what's wrong with giving into our sexual urges? The point is that God may not withhold blessings from us because we have sex outside of marriage, but it doesn't mean that it's what He wants for us.
I love what Jason Evert wrote in his book, If You Really Loved Me: "Just because a person is capable of physical intimacy, it does not mean that he or she is capable of the other kinds of intimacy that hold a marriage together. Because sex has the power to bond, the experience may seem wonderful in the initial stages of a relationship and both partners will feel quite 'compatible.' But think about a couple you know who has been married for fifty years. They are sitting there on the front porch swing, smiling with all their wrinkles at each other. Do you think it is because they are so sexually compatible? They are still together because they have been refined by the fires of love, not burnt by the counterfeits of lust."
I understand that not everyone is going to agree with me. Whether you do or not, I hope that you come to view sex as more than just an incidental connection. I know that I desire God's best for my life. I'm willing to put my own desires on hold so that I can fulfill God's plan. According to 1 Corinthians 13, love is not self-seeking. When I do have sex, it won't be because I'm looking for self-gratification because I can't control my inclinations any longer. I'm holding out for something that is infinitely better: authentic love based upon self-sacrifice, mutual respect and admiration, and a sense of connection that goes deeper than just the physical.
Works used:
Bell, Rob. (2007). Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections Between Sexuality and Spirituality. Michigan: Zondervan.
Evert, Jason. (2004). If You Really Loved Me. California: Catholic Answers, Inc.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Confession
When I created this blog, I resolved to be as honest as I possibly could about my walk with God. In the interest of being completely transparent, I must confess something: I'm struggling.
One thing I hear over and over from my friends is that I am very put together. I project an image of total confidence, and everyone thinks I have it all figured out.
I don't.
If you've been reading my blog for any period of time, you probably know that I've been feeling like I'm in a waiting room. I would keep saying, "I choose to trust You, I choose to love You, I choose to serve You." Well, I got frustrated. I got tired. And I got impatient.
Sometimes I feel like my life has been almost nothing but trying times. I know that I'm blessed beyond measure with my family, but I've also seen my family struggle financially for my entire life. I know that God heals, and yet my sister has had severe knee problems for years. I know that God has good plans for me, but I'm a 26-year-old undergrad who still doesn't know what I want to be when I grow up.
And that's when I begin to sound like a child throwing a tantrum. Things in my life aren't going my way? I think I'll be angry at God for it. There are so many people worse off than I am, so why am I complaining?
I don't believe this invalidates what I feel. Someone else may be walking through much more difficult circumstances, but that doesn't mean that my feelings are not authentic. And I know - even in the midst of my childishness - that God still cares about what I'm feeling.
My dog is very sick. She has a large tumor on her underbelly that just keeps growing. When I left my house yesterday, she could barely even walk because of it. My heart broke for her, and I just sat in my car sobbing. I love my dog, and I can't do a thing to help her. My family doesn't have the money for an operation to save her.
As I wept in my car, I began to think about my love for my dog. She's been a part of my family for a long time, and she's been a sweet and loyal pet. But that's what she is: a pet. As much as I love her, I could never care for her as I care for my siblings and friends. And yet, if I had the means, nothing would stop me from saving her. If I love my dog that much, how much more does my heavenly Father love me?
In Matthew 7:9-11, Jesus says, "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"
God crafted humanity from the very dust. He gave His only Son to suffer and die just so that He didn't have to live without me. He has blessed me with an extraordinary family and a collection of friends I cherish. Obviously, He loves me more than I could possibly imagine. What is there in me that still doubts?
Unfortunately, living on this earth won't always be easy. We are reminded over and over that a relationship with God doesn't make life any easier. It just gets harder. It gets harder, but it gets richer. Lamentations 3:22-24 says, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.'"
So I must resign myself to wait... again.
Once again, I have to choose. I still choose to trust and love and serve, and "I will take refuge in the shadow of Your wings until the disaster has passed" (Psalm 57:1b). It will pass, and I'll come out of this stronger and more sure of my relationship with God than ever. Even though I can't see the end result right now, He can. I will wait.
One thing I hear over and over from my friends is that I am very put together. I project an image of total confidence, and everyone thinks I have it all figured out.
I don't.
If you've been reading my blog for any period of time, you probably know that I've been feeling like I'm in a waiting room. I would keep saying, "I choose to trust You, I choose to love You, I choose to serve You." Well, I got frustrated. I got tired. And I got impatient.
Sometimes I feel like my life has been almost nothing but trying times. I know that I'm blessed beyond measure with my family, but I've also seen my family struggle financially for my entire life. I know that God heals, and yet my sister has had severe knee problems for years. I know that God has good plans for me, but I'm a 26-year-old undergrad who still doesn't know what I want to be when I grow up.
And that's when I begin to sound like a child throwing a tantrum. Things in my life aren't going my way? I think I'll be angry at God for it. There are so many people worse off than I am, so why am I complaining?
I don't believe this invalidates what I feel. Someone else may be walking through much more difficult circumstances, but that doesn't mean that my feelings are not authentic. And I know - even in the midst of my childishness - that God still cares about what I'm feeling.
My dog is very sick. She has a large tumor on her underbelly that just keeps growing. When I left my house yesterday, she could barely even walk because of it. My heart broke for her, and I just sat in my car sobbing. I love my dog, and I can't do a thing to help her. My family doesn't have the money for an operation to save her.
As I wept in my car, I began to think about my love for my dog. She's been a part of my family for a long time, and she's been a sweet and loyal pet. But that's what she is: a pet. As much as I love her, I could never care for her as I care for my siblings and friends. And yet, if I had the means, nothing would stop me from saving her. If I love my dog that much, how much more does my heavenly Father love me?
In Matthew 7:9-11, Jesus says, "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"
God crafted humanity from the very dust. He gave His only Son to suffer and die just so that He didn't have to live without me. He has blessed me with an extraordinary family and a collection of friends I cherish. Obviously, He loves me more than I could possibly imagine. What is there in me that still doubts?
Unfortunately, living on this earth won't always be easy. We are reminded over and over that a relationship with God doesn't make life any easier. It just gets harder. It gets harder, but it gets richer. Lamentations 3:22-24 says, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.'"
So I must resign myself to wait... again.
Once again, I have to choose. I still choose to trust and love and serve, and "I will take refuge in the shadow of Your wings until the disaster has passed" (Psalm 57:1b). It will pass, and I'll come out of this stronger and more sure of my relationship with God than ever. Even though I can't see the end result right now, He can. I will wait.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
God's Daughters: The Creation of Woman
The world wasn't perfect to begin with.
When God created the world, He saw that everything He had created - everything He had breathed and spoken into existence - was good. And yet, something was amiss in this new, unblemished universe. There was only one thing that gave Him displeasure: the human He had formed with His own hands was alone.
The very first problem.
We all know this story. Next, God brought before Adam all the creatures that had been made. Adam was given the task of naming them all, but none were found to be a suitable partner for him. I don't believe that this was ignorance or innocence on God's part. He knew that He alone could create a match for Adam. I believe that Adam needed to realize this.
At this point in many translations, God says something about creating a helper for Adam. I love Dr. Friedman's translation: "And YHWH God said, 'It's not good for the human to be by himself. I'll make for him a strength corresponding to him'" (emphasis mine).
This completely changes the way we look at the first woman. She wasn't created just to be a servant to the man. She was created to be a strength to him. Please understand what I'm saying: I am not forgetting that we are called to serve each other in Christ. I am simply trying to combat those who have downplayed woman's role. A woman is not a maid, meant to be at the beck and call of her husband. She has a unique role to play that cannot and should not be disdained.
Adam had to realize that there was nothing else on earth that could fill that longing for companionship. No matter how much apes may resemble us, Adam knew that he could not lend his strength to (i.e. perform husbandly duties) and, in turn, be strengthened by such a creature. (For the record, I don't have anything against apes.)
Eve was God's final handiwork in the formation process. She was the grand finale and the culmination of creation. John MacArthur says this: "Adam was refined dirt; Eve was a glorious refinement of humanity itself." God had made for Adam exactly what he needed and wanted.
I want to point out that God did not just create Eve for Adam. God knew that Adam alone could not represent God's image. God is not a man, so how could one man do justice to God's image? Our heavenly Father knew that femininity was also needed to complete the picture. I would suggest that God knew all along that He needed two humans to embody His image on earth, so He created Adam for Eve and Eve for Adam.
It is important to note that men and women are created differently but not unequally. From the beginning, our roles have been designed to complement each other. This has been an issue of contention since the dawn of humanity. God recognized the need for both masculinity and femininity. Neither was meant to dominate the other. I'm sure you've all heard the old saying - God took woman from man's side, not to rule over him or to be under his rule, but to walk beside him and be his partner. Our differences should emphasize the fact that we need to work together.
Men were created as physically stronger beings. Some women take great offense to this, but it is true in most of the world. I would ask this question: Do you think Adam was longing for someone exactly like himself? Or do you think he was pleased by her feminine curves, the hair cascading down her back, and those softly batting eyelashes? (This is not intended to be a discussion on homosexuality, so please don't take it as such - that's a different issue altogether.) Men and women each represent a part of God's image. Women may not have the same form as men, but we have different strengths.
I love what John MacArthur says on this subject: "Feminism has devalued and defamed femininity. Natural gender distinctions are usually downplayed, dismissed, despised, or denied. As a result, women are now being sent into combat situations, subjected to grueling physical labor once reserved for men, exposed to all kinds of indignities in the workplace, and otherwise encouraged to act and talk like men. Meanwhile, modern feminists heap scorn on women who want family and household to be their first priorities - disparaging the role of motherhood, the one calling that is most uniquely and exclusively feminine. The whole message of feminist egalitarianism is that there is really nothing extraordinary about women."
This attitude that women must act like men in order to be "equal" downplays the very creation of women in the first place. Our differences are okay. Women should celebrate the fact that we are different from men rather than despising it. When a woman chooses to stay at home, why do we call her just a housewife? I'm not saying that women shouldn't work or that women who choose to work are unfit mothers. I just want to put things in perspective. We are not men. We are women. Let's revel in our femininity, ladies!
There are several books I would love to recommend if you are curious about this subject. Lisa Bevere has wonderful books about the roles of women and femininity. Fight Like a Girl, Nurture, and Lioness Arising are all worthy reads, and Lisa speaks much more eloquently on the subject than I ever could. I also love John MacArthur's book, Twelve Extraordinary Women, which tells the stories of some of the exceptional women of God featured in His word.
Works used:
Friedman, Richard E. (2001). Commentary on the Torah with a New English Translation and the Hebrew Text. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.
MacArthur, John. (2005). Twelve Extraordinary Women. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.
When God created the world, He saw that everything He had created - everything He had breathed and spoken into existence - was good. And yet, something was amiss in this new, unblemished universe. There was only one thing that gave Him displeasure: the human He had formed with His own hands was alone.
The very first problem.
We all know this story. Next, God brought before Adam all the creatures that had been made. Adam was given the task of naming them all, but none were found to be a suitable partner for him. I don't believe that this was ignorance or innocence on God's part. He knew that He alone could create a match for Adam. I believe that Adam needed to realize this.
At this point in many translations, God says something about creating a helper for Adam. I love Dr. Friedman's translation: "And YHWH God said, 'It's not good for the human to be by himself. I'll make for him a strength corresponding to him'" (emphasis mine).
This completely changes the way we look at the first woman. She wasn't created just to be a servant to the man. She was created to be a strength to him. Please understand what I'm saying: I am not forgetting that we are called to serve each other in Christ. I am simply trying to combat those who have downplayed woman's role. A woman is not a maid, meant to be at the beck and call of her husband. She has a unique role to play that cannot and should not be disdained.
Adam had to realize that there was nothing else on earth that could fill that longing for companionship. No matter how much apes may resemble us, Adam knew that he could not lend his strength to (i.e. perform husbandly duties) and, in turn, be strengthened by such a creature. (For the record, I don't have anything against apes.)
Eve was God's final handiwork in the formation process. She was the grand finale and the culmination of creation. John MacArthur says this: "Adam was refined dirt; Eve was a glorious refinement of humanity itself." God had made for Adam exactly what he needed and wanted.
I want to point out that God did not just create Eve for Adam. God knew that Adam alone could not represent God's image. God is not a man, so how could one man do justice to God's image? Our heavenly Father knew that femininity was also needed to complete the picture. I would suggest that God knew all along that He needed two humans to embody His image on earth, so He created Adam for Eve and Eve for Adam.
It is important to note that men and women are created differently but not unequally. From the beginning, our roles have been designed to complement each other. This has been an issue of contention since the dawn of humanity. God recognized the need for both masculinity and femininity. Neither was meant to dominate the other. I'm sure you've all heard the old saying - God took woman from man's side, not to rule over him or to be under his rule, but to walk beside him and be his partner. Our differences should emphasize the fact that we need to work together.
Men were created as physically stronger beings. Some women take great offense to this, but it is true in most of the world. I would ask this question: Do you think Adam was longing for someone exactly like himself? Or do you think he was pleased by her feminine curves, the hair cascading down her back, and those softly batting eyelashes? (This is not intended to be a discussion on homosexuality, so please don't take it as such - that's a different issue altogether.) Men and women each represent a part of God's image. Women may not have the same form as men, but we have different strengths.
I love what John MacArthur says on this subject: "Feminism has devalued and defamed femininity. Natural gender distinctions are usually downplayed, dismissed, despised, or denied. As a result, women are now being sent into combat situations, subjected to grueling physical labor once reserved for men, exposed to all kinds of indignities in the workplace, and otherwise encouraged to act and talk like men. Meanwhile, modern feminists heap scorn on women who want family and household to be their first priorities - disparaging the role of motherhood, the one calling that is most uniquely and exclusively feminine. The whole message of feminist egalitarianism is that there is really nothing extraordinary about women."
This attitude that women must act like men in order to be "equal" downplays the very creation of women in the first place. Our differences are okay. Women should celebrate the fact that we are different from men rather than despising it. When a woman chooses to stay at home, why do we call her just a housewife? I'm not saying that women shouldn't work or that women who choose to work are unfit mothers. I just want to put things in perspective. We are not men. We are women. Let's revel in our femininity, ladies!
There are several books I would love to recommend if you are curious about this subject. Lisa Bevere has wonderful books about the roles of women and femininity. Fight Like a Girl, Nurture, and Lioness Arising are all worthy reads, and Lisa speaks much more eloquently on the subject than I ever could. I also love John MacArthur's book, Twelve Extraordinary Women, which tells the stories of some of the exceptional women of God featured in His word.
Works used:
Friedman, Richard E. (2001). Commentary on the Torah with a New English Translation and the Hebrew Text. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.
MacArthur, John. (2005). Twelve Extraordinary Women. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
God's Daughters: The First Commandment
There is a popular television show that follows a polygamist family. There is one husband with four wives and many children. They are completely unapologetic and find it disturbing that a federal court case may be brought against them (a little naive, I feel). As much as I hate to admit it, I find the show terribly fascinating. It's an interesting look into the ways different people think, act, and practice religion. However, I can never agree with their lifestyle.
But why not?
There are plenty of examples of polygamist marriages in the Bible. What is it about them that makes us squeamish? In a culture where marriage is no longer sacred (the divorce rate is truly astonishing), does it really matter?
Yes, it does.
In my last post, I mentioned that I had found a version of the Torah, translated and commentated upon by a Jewish scholar. I particularly like his translation of Genesis 1:26, 27. In the NIV, these verses are translated as, "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.' So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" (emphasis mine). The changing pronouns make these verses a little confusing, don't they?
Friedman's translation makes these verses a great deal clearer: "And God said, 'Let us make a human, in our image, according to our likeness, and let them dominate the fish of the sea and the birds of the skies and the domestic animals and all the earth and all the creeping things that creep on the earth.' And God created the human in His image. He created it in the image of God; He created them male and female" (emphasis mine).
According to Dr. Friedman, it is not until the formation of woman in Genesis 2:23 that the actual word for "man" is used. Until that point, they are simply "humans". This gives us a vastly different perspective on the creation of human existence. First of all, God never intended to simply create "man". He created humans in His image - both male and female. Together, both sexes represent God as neither one could do on its own.
This tells me that neither one should dominate over the other. In a polygamist marriage, everything is focused around the man. He is the center of everything. All the women subject themselves to him and crave his affection and attention. This was never as God intended. Neither part of God's image should vie for control and domination over the other.
In verse 28, God gives the first recorded commandment: "And God blessed them, and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and dominate the fish of the sea and the birds of the skies and every animal that creeps on the earth.'" The part I want to concentrate on is "Be fruitful and multiply."
If God thought that polygamist marriages were the best way to fulfill the first commandment, then why didn't He set up that example to begin with? Couldn't he have created one more woman? (I don't think I need to explain biologically why a husband with two wives would be able to fill the earth much more quickly than a woman with two husbands. If you don't understand that part, perhaps you should complain to your high school biology teacher.)
The only possible answer is that polygamy was never God's best for His creation. He intended marriage to stay between one man and one woman. How then were polygamist marriages allowed and even blessed? Jacob is named in the Bible as one of the fathers of the Jewish faith, but he had two wives. David had more than one wife, and he was called a man after God's own heart.
I don't believe God ever condoned this, but I don't believe He could fault them for it. His very first recorded commandment was to fill the earth. If these people were fulfilling this commandment, how could they be punished for it? I believe that God didn't like it, but He put up with it. It was never His best plan for his sons and daughters. This is my personal opinion, however, and you must search it out for yourselves in the Scriptures.
A polygamist marriage is damaging to everyone involved. First of all, it diminishes the importance of the woman in the relationship. She is also a part of God's image and should be treated as such. Her role cannot be duplicated. We see this in the contention between Rachel and Leah. Rachel was loved, and Leah was not, and it created jealousy between the sisters. Second of all, the man's interests are divided. When he must partition his love and time between different families (not to mention his business pursuits), how can he truly be a good, present, and focused father and husband? Third of all, it is hard on any children that are produced from these unions. Where does their loyalty lie? Their father has sex with someone besides their mother (to be perfectly blunt), and they must accept this other woman into their lives without question. Do they submit to her as to their mother? Do they disregard her completely?
In the Scriptures, we see God caring for those daughters who were caught in polygamist marriages. When Sarah demanded that Abraham put out Hagar and her son, God heard Hagar's cry for help and made her prosperous. God opened Leah's womb so that she could experience love in her life. In fact, it is from Leah's line that we receive our salvation.
These are such great examples of how God demonstrated His love for daughters living in a male-centric society, but what about today? Why doesn't He still accept polygamy?
Well, to begin with, we have fulfilled the first commandment. The earth is filled and subdued. There is no doubt that humans are at the top of the food chain. It's also important to note that in many countries like the United States, polygamist marriages are illegal. In Romans 13, Paul exhorts Christians to follow the laws of the land: "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God" (NIV).
Whether you agree with me or not, I hope that you research these things for yourself. Issues like this have created tension in the Body of Christ for years. Women have suffered under men who believe that they are the rulers of the home. I am simply trying to put these misused and abused Scriptures in a new light.
Works used:
Friedman, Richard E. (2001). Commentary on the Torah with a New English Translation and the Hebrew Text. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.
But why not?
There are plenty of examples of polygamist marriages in the Bible. What is it about them that makes us squeamish? In a culture where marriage is no longer sacred (the divorce rate is truly astonishing), does it really matter?
Yes, it does.
In my last post, I mentioned that I had found a version of the Torah, translated and commentated upon by a Jewish scholar. I particularly like his translation of Genesis 1:26, 27. In the NIV, these verses are translated as, "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.' So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" (emphasis mine). The changing pronouns make these verses a little confusing, don't they?
Friedman's translation makes these verses a great deal clearer: "And God said, 'Let us make a human, in our image, according to our likeness, and let them dominate the fish of the sea and the birds of the skies and the domestic animals and all the earth and all the creeping things that creep on the earth.' And God created the human in His image. He created it in the image of God; He created them male and female" (emphasis mine).
According to Dr. Friedman, it is not until the formation of woman in Genesis 2:23 that the actual word for "man" is used. Until that point, they are simply "humans". This gives us a vastly different perspective on the creation of human existence. First of all, God never intended to simply create "man". He created humans in His image - both male and female. Together, both sexes represent God as neither one could do on its own.
This tells me that neither one should dominate over the other. In a polygamist marriage, everything is focused around the man. He is the center of everything. All the women subject themselves to him and crave his affection and attention. This was never as God intended. Neither part of God's image should vie for control and domination over the other.
In verse 28, God gives the first recorded commandment: "And God blessed them, and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and dominate the fish of the sea and the birds of the skies and every animal that creeps on the earth.'" The part I want to concentrate on is "Be fruitful and multiply."
If God thought that polygamist marriages were the best way to fulfill the first commandment, then why didn't He set up that example to begin with? Couldn't he have created one more woman? (I don't think I need to explain biologically why a husband with two wives would be able to fill the earth much more quickly than a woman with two husbands. If you don't understand that part, perhaps you should complain to your high school biology teacher.)
The only possible answer is that polygamy was never God's best for His creation. He intended marriage to stay between one man and one woman. How then were polygamist marriages allowed and even blessed? Jacob is named in the Bible as one of the fathers of the Jewish faith, but he had two wives. David had more than one wife, and he was called a man after God's own heart.
I don't believe God ever condoned this, but I don't believe He could fault them for it. His very first recorded commandment was to fill the earth. If these people were fulfilling this commandment, how could they be punished for it? I believe that God didn't like it, but He put up with it. It was never His best plan for his sons and daughters. This is my personal opinion, however, and you must search it out for yourselves in the Scriptures.
A polygamist marriage is damaging to everyone involved. First of all, it diminishes the importance of the woman in the relationship. She is also a part of God's image and should be treated as such. Her role cannot be duplicated. We see this in the contention between Rachel and Leah. Rachel was loved, and Leah was not, and it created jealousy between the sisters. Second of all, the man's interests are divided. When he must partition his love and time between different families (not to mention his business pursuits), how can he truly be a good, present, and focused father and husband? Third of all, it is hard on any children that are produced from these unions. Where does their loyalty lie? Their father has sex with someone besides their mother (to be perfectly blunt), and they must accept this other woman into their lives without question. Do they submit to her as to their mother? Do they disregard her completely?
In the Scriptures, we see God caring for those daughters who were caught in polygamist marriages. When Sarah demanded that Abraham put out Hagar and her son, God heard Hagar's cry for help and made her prosperous. God opened Leah's womb so that she could experience love in her life. In fact, it is from Leah's line that we receive our salvation.
These are such great examples of how God demonstrated His love for daughters living in a male-centric society, but what about today? Why doesn't He still accept polygamy?
Well, to begin with, we have fulfilled the first commandment. The earth is filled and subdued. There is no doubt that humans are at the top of the food chain. It's also important to note that in many countries like the United States, polygamist marriages are illegal. In Romans 13, Paul exhorts Christians to follow the laws of the land: "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God" (NIV).
Whether you agree with me or not, I hope that you research these things for yourself. Issues like this have created tension in the Body of Christ for years. Women have suffered under men who believe that they are the rulers of the home. I am simply trying to put these misused and abused Scriptures in a new light.
Works used:
Friedman, Richard E. (2001). Commentary on the Torah with a New English Translation and the Hebrew Text. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
God's Daughters: The Beginning
Many people in history have twisted Scripture to fit their own ideas - perverse or otherwise. Salem, Massachusetts in 1692 is a prime illustration of this fact. Twenty people were killed because of a feared association with witchcraft. We've recently seen an example of this in the news with the supposed "Rapture" on May 21, 2011. There is nothing that people are more willing to believe than the Bible, even if it's merely someone's interpretation. And Scripture has been used, time and time again, to abuse and mistreat women.
In my opinion, this is one of the greatest injustices blamed on God's Word, but I can see how it can be confusing. There are many instances in the Bible in which women seem to matter less and be valued less than men. Those who tyrannize women use verses like I Peter 3:7 (wherein women are described as the weaker vessels) to justify their mistreatment of the women in their lives.
I have always felt that this is a gross misinterpretation of God's love, but I never knew how I could prove it. I was in a bookstore a year ago when I came across a version of the Torah that included commentary by a Jewish scholar. It suddenly dawned on me: how could I possibly comprehend a book that wasn't written for me!
Now, before everyone complains that the Bible is for all believers at all times (which I know!), let me clarify. The Old Testament was penned by Jewish men for the people of Israel. Although God knew that it would one day become the definitive book for Jesus-followers, those men didn't. It is full of the history, culture, and traditions of the Jewish people. How can I understand that with my thoroughly modern, Western mindset? This scholar would have much more insight into the Jewish culture than I ever could.
That day, I began a journey of discovery that still continues. I don't know how many people read this blog, but I'd like to share my findings with you. I can't promise you that I'll understand everything in the Bible. I can't promise that everything I say will be correct. And I can't promise that everything I say is from the Lord. I can only give you my opinions, thoughts, and views.
This is the beginning of a series I'd like to call "God's Daughters."
In my opinion, this is one of the greatest injustices blamed on God's Word, but I can see how it can be confusing. There are many instances in the Bible in which women seem to matter less and be valued less than men. Those who tyrannize women use verses like I Peter 3:7 (wherein women are described as the weaker vessels) to justify their mistreatment of the women in their lives.
I have always felt that this is a gross misinterpretation of God's love, but I never knew how I could prove it. I was in a bookstore a year ago when I came across a version of the Torah that included commentary by a Jewish scholar. It suddenly dawned on me: how could I possibly comprehend a book that wasn't written for me!
Now, before everyone complains that the Bible is for all believers at all times (which I know!), let me clarify. The Old Testament was penned by Jewish men for the people of Israel. Although God knew that it would one day become the definitive book for Jesus-followers, those men didn't. It is full of the history, culture, and traditions of the Jewish people. How can I understand that with my thoroughly modern, Western mindset? This scholar would have much more insight into the Jewish culture than I ever could.
That day, I began a journey of discovery that still continues. I don't know how many people read this blog, but I'd like to share my findings with you. I can't promise you that I'll understand everything in the Bible. I can't promise that everything I say will be correct. And I can't promise that everything I say is from the Lord. I can only give you my opinions, thoughts, and views.
This is the beginning of a series I'd like to call "God's Daughters."
Saturday, February 26, 2011
The Waiting Room
Have you ever seen West Side Story? There's a great scene in which Tony is sure that something good and exciting is just around the corner. He sings about it in a tune entitled, "Something's Coming". Maybe it's down the block or on a beach. Maybe he can reach it by holding still. Tony doesn't know what it is, but he knows it will change his life.
And it does.
This feeling started coming upon me about a year ago. There was a change in the wind, a shift in the current. Suddenly I knew that my life was going to change. If you had asked me what was coming, I couldn't have told you - I still can't tell you, but I know it's there, just out of reach.
When I first had this feeling of expectation, I assumed it would come immediately. I kept waiting for something extraordinary to happen. I waited... and waited... and waited... and waited some more.
Zilch.
Nada.
Nothing.
I began to think that maybe I had been wrong about the impending transition, but now I don't think I was.
God never wastes a single moment we give Him. He is always at work in our lives, even when we can't sense it. I am convinced that this anticipation of change is simply God preparing me for the next step. I'm in the "waiting room".
Waiting rooms are always the most boring places on earth. You fill out the same papers every single visit (shouldn't they have some of those still on file?), you thumb through month-old magazines, and you try to keep away from the person with the racking cough in the chair next to you. No one ever does anything actually productive. They are waiting. And they are stagnant.
There's a wonderful song by John Waller called "While I'm Waiting". This song is so relevant to where I am right now in my life because waiting periods should not be stagnant periods. This waiting period is a time for me to serve, worship, love, and trust Him. Every second of this time is precious. It is time to commune with my Savior and learn more and more about Him and what He wants for my life.
The waiting times can seem like the toughest times. As the feeling of preparation builds within me, I think that it should be visible in the world around me. Sometimes I feel as though I'm walking through hip-high snow drifts, and I would much rather give up and build snowmen than trample out a path. I don't even know how close I am to the end of the waiting! And then there are those who give the cliched response, "God's timing is perfect." I just want to punch them. I KNOW!
However, I don't know when I've been more dependent on Him. I choose to trust and to be patient because I desire His will above anything else. My mantra has become, "I choose to trust You. I choose to serve You. I choose to love You." I mutter this every day, several times a day. Some days I say it more often than others.
When I adopted this attitude, my eyes were opened to how God is using me in the waiting room. I have established relationships with people from different backgrounds, different faiths, and different lifestyles, and I cherish these friendships. In this waiting period, I have had the opportunity to sing for the President of the United States. That's kind of a big deal!
I have no idea what God has next for me. It could be teaching, or grad school, or (dare I say it?) marriage. Whatever may come, I choose to make this time one of absolute dependency upon the Lord. I choose to use this time to strengthen my relationship with Him. I choose not to be stagnant. I choose to trust Him. I choose to serve Him. I choose to love Him.
I may need to say it again in a few minutes.
And it does.
This feeling started coming upon me about a year ago. There was a change in the wind, a shift in the current. Suddenly I knew that my life was going to change. If you had asked me what was coming, I couldn't have told you - I still can't tell you, but I know it's there, just out of reach.
When I first had this feeling of expectation, I assumed it would come immediately. I kept waiting for something extraordinary to happen. I waited... and waited... and waited... and waited some more.
Zilch.
Nada.
Nothing.
I began to think that maybe I had been wrong about the impending transition, but now I don't think I was.
God never wastes a single moment we give Him. He is always at work in our lives, even when we can't sense it. I am convinced that this anticipation of change is simply God preparing me for the next step. I'm in the "waiting room".
Waiting rooms are always the most boring places on earth. You fill out the same papers every single visit (shouldn't they have some of those still on file?), you thumb through month-old magazines, and you try to keep away from the person with the racking cough in the chair next to you. No one ever does anything actually productive. They are waiting. And they are stagnant.
There's a wonderful song by John Waller called "While I'm Waiting". This song is so relevant to where I am right now in my life because waiting periods should not be stagnant periods. This waiting period is a time for me to serve, worship, love, and trust Him. Every second of this time is precious. It is time to commune with my Savior and learn more and more about Him and what He wants for my life.
The waiting times can seem like the toughest times. As the feeling of preparation builds within me, I think that it should be visible in the world around me. Sometimes I feel as though I'm walking through hip-high snow drifts, and I would much rather give up and build snowmen than trample out a path. I don't even know how close I am to the end of the waiting! And then there are those who give the cliched response, "God's timing is perfect." I just want to punch them. I KNOW!
However, I don't know when I've been more dependent on Him. I choose to trust and to be patient because I desire His will above anything else. My mantra has become, "I choose to trust You. I choose to serve You. I choose to love You." I mutter this every day, several times a day. Some days I say it more often than others.
When I adopted this attitude, my eyes were opened to how God is using me in the waiting room. I have established relationships with people from different backgrounds, different faiths, and different lifestyles, and I cherish these friendships. In this waiting period, I have had the opportunity to sing for the President of the United States. That's kind of a big deal!
I have no idea what God has next for me. It could be teaching, or grad school, or (dare I say it?) marriage. Whatever may come, I choose to make this time one of absolute dependency upon the Lord. I choose to use this time to strengthen my relationship with Him. I choose not to be stagnant. I choose to trust Him. I choose to serve Him. I choose to love Him.
I may need to say it again in a few minutes.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Growing
Growth is an interesting concept. Tiny seeds grow to become mighty trees. Young children grow to become adults with goals, dreams, and ideals. My journey of growth hasn't been very different from others' paths.
I was a child once. I began to form innocent fancies and thoughts about my future. Of course, when you're young, everything is a fairy tale. I just knew that someday I would be a famous singer and that I would be swept off my feet by a handsome prince. These were certainties.
As I grew, my visions for the future changed; my desires changed. I no longer desired to be a famous singer. Instead, I wanted to use my talents for the Lord. I wanted to attend a Christian university and major in Music Ministry. I still knew that Prince Charming was just around the corner. These were certainties.
As I went through various levels of school and life, my dreams and goals kept evolving. With each step I took, the rest of my future shifted. And I began to realize something: there are no certainties in life. I am almost twenty-six years old. I'm still working on my undergraduate degree, I'm single, and my life doesn't look like I thought it would.
When I was young, I could have sworn that my life would follow the plan I had prescribed. It's twenty years later, and I still have no clue where my life is headed. The one thing that has remained constant in my life is my desire to serve God with everything I have.
I may not have a clear picture of what the next step is, but He does. He always has. When I have strayed from His plan, He has never once thrown up His hands in despair. God doesn't get frustrated with my inept wanderings. As much as I have changed, He never has.
My relationship with God has never been stagnant. Even when I have been sullen and unrepentant, it has been a part of the growing process. It is always changing, always growing, and always important. This is a certainty.
I was a child once. I began to form innocent fancies and thoughts about my future. Of course, when you're young, everything is a fairy tale. I just knew that someday I would be a famous singer and that I would be swept off my feet by a handsome prince. These were certainties.
As I grew, my visions for the future changed; my desires changed. I no longer desired to be a famous singer. Instead, I wanted to use my talents for the Lord. I wanted to attend a Christian university and major in Music Ministry. I still knew that Prince Charming was just around the corner. These were certainties.
As I went through various levels of school and life, my dreams and goals kept evolving. With each step I took, the rest of my future shifted. And I began to realize something: there are no certainties in life. I am almost twenty-six years old. I'm still working on my undergraduate degree, I'm single, and my life doesn't look like I thought it would.
When I was young, I could have sworn that my life would follow the plan I had prescribed. It's twenty years later, and I still have no clue where my life is headed. The one thing that has remained constant in my life is my desire to serve God with everything I have.
I may not have a clear picture of what the next step is, but He does. He always has. When I have strayed from His plan, He has never once thrown up His hands in despair. God doesn't get frustrated with my inept wanderings. As much as I have changed, He never has.
My relationship with God has never been stagnant. Even when I have been sullen and unrepentant, it has been a part of the growing process. It is always changing, always growing, and always important. This is a certainty.
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