AWKward...

Without going into detail, yesterday I experienced an awkward moment. It was in the context of a group of friends who over the course of the last year had spent time with each other, cooperatively did things together, asked each other for favors and supported each other.

The problem was... all this was on the surface. One of the other people in the group noticed this and had mentioned the problem with the group dynamic and indicated that we should all probably do something about this, especially if we're going to spend more time together.

This wasn't the awkward moment.

The awkward moment came later when one of the people wanted the benefits of being a part of this group, but didn't want to give as much as everyone else to accomplish our shared goals.

I had a flashback to too many conversations that I've had with people in the past about their relationship with   God.

They want to say that they "love" God, but they don't want to keep his commandments. I think the biggest area is regarding submitting your sexual life over to God. People say they love God, want a good Christian man/woman, but want to have sex with her/him to make sure the sex is good before they get married!

I was in a singles class at church - we separated into a men's class and a women's class to discuss difficulties with dating. An older gentleman, around 70 years old raised his hand. Admittedly, he had been married at least twice before and wanted to marry again. Expecting to hear some wisdom from someone his age with his experiences, I listened intently. He said:

"I'm not going to marry someone unless I sleep with her first. No one wants to be in bed with someone laying there like a dead fish!"

That was an awkward moment for me. I don't mean to make this into a post talking about sex, but there is so much more to building true relationship than dependence upon an act that lasts a few moments. There is so much more time in the day where if that's the only thing you're looking for... you're missing out!

So, what does that have to do with anything? A lot!

I think people are ashamed because it's hard to be vulnerable. We all mess up - and when you let someone down that you're close to? Well... that's difficult. When you care about someone - there's a lot to risk, so sometimes it's easier to step away and keep things at arms length.

God knows all, He see's all, and we know that we don't measure up to His call for us to be Holy. So we would rather surround ourselves with people that have the same shallow view as us.

But... what if we risked being vulnerable - with the understanding that if we failed we would still be loved. Wouldn't that inspire you to try harder?

It would for me...

 Romans 8:1-4
King James Version (KJV)
 1There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
 2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
 3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
 4That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.