I cannot keep going. (April 2, 2025)

Listen here:  https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/275e9eb4/i-cannot-keep-...

I cannot keep going as if this sentence did not jump off the page of my Bible, demanding a closer look, and some consideration.

Luke started off chapter 18 with Jesus' parable about the persistent widow,1 which included two things we ought never forget: to pray and not give up/pray persistently, and our prayers are said to a good and loving Heavenly Father. Jesus moves on to another parable about prayer, but first--this verse as the setup:

He also told this parable to

some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, 

and treated others with contempt2

The question: how does one know what or who is 'righteous'? And if righteous, then how did they treat others with contempt? Hmmm... surely that is not righteous! Their righteousness rested solely on a veneer of human pride o'er the top of religiosity and ran far afield from the God of the Bible.

Which begs the question, 'Friend, what do you believe about God?'

For surely it is the most important thing about you!3 Yes, your view of God will certainly define your understanding of righteousness and your relationship with God, but it will also influence every other area of your life.

Come away with me for a bit ... come away from religion, from racing mind and distracted thinking. Come apart, sit down in your easy chair in a quiet room or your porch, give this matter a little headspace as we contemplate God. 

I turn my eyes heavenward and ask, ‘So, God, how do we think of you?

Hmmm . . . you are mighty and also gentle

you are tender yet fierce

you are good, but angry at injustice

you are new and exciting, but unchanging

you are just, but merciful and forgiving

you are holy, but patient with your unholy children 

you are humble but desirous of our praises to you.

You know all things, you see all; you are all powerful and ever present. You. are. big. You have always been and always will be. . . eternal. You are one God expressed in three persons—Father, Son and Holy Spirit, existing in perfect submission one to the other. In your personhood, you think, will, enjoy, feel, desire and even suffer just like any other person.4 Your nature is one of inexhaustible love and light, and is perfect in holiness.

There is a seeking to know about you;

there is seeking to know you for oneself,

and a seeking to know and be known by you—a relationship —

a desire to know you person to person.

Permit that I might know Thee, O God.

Grow my desire to know you to be an all­ consuming fire! 

a brief prayer: ‘As the deer longs for the water brooks, so longs my soul for you, O God. My soul is athirst for God, even for the living God . . .’5 Like David who prayed that, make that the cry of my heart, God! I want to be found by you. And God, since you made me in your image, that must mean I have some capacity to truly know you, right?’

Friend, doesn’t it seem like people ‘accept Christ’ or choose to follow him, maybe attend church regularly, but then do not pursue a knowledge of God? Perhaps we memorize Scripture or a catechism, things about God and the path to him, but miss the person of God. Hmmm, could it be the reason for so much of our anxiety, depression, and casting about? We say we trust him, but we do not know the God we trust! Indeed.

Augustine’s words make sense:

“Thou hast formed us for Thyself,

and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee...”6

God meant us to see him and live with him and draw our life from his smile.7

Aye, we were meant to know God relationally. Think of it--it was in the beauty of that original Garden God placed our forebears. It was in that environment of abundant flourishing, freedom and love we were meant to make our home, walking and talking with God, that we might know and be known by him.

Who is God really? Put pen to paper and interview yourself.

 ****Then, please hit 'reply' and respond­­ 'Who is God to you?'**** 

How about it, Johnny, Tony, LaVern, Marsha, Greg . . . or you?

A fitting song - 'really on television?! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTjJ8pPVEF8&t=229s

Have a take.

Christine - PastorWoman.net

Luke, 54

1 - luke 18.1-8

2 - luke 18.9, esv

3 - a.w. tozer, knowledge of the holy

4 – a.w. tozer, the pursuit of god

5 – psalm 42.1

6 - augustine of hippo, confessions

7 – again, tozer, the pursuit of god