The Divine Selfie

     I know, really, I know. The word "selfie" sends many of you running and screaming in the opposite direction. You either love taking them, or loathe seeing them. I'm sure middle ground exists, but it appears to be rapidly disintegrating like the middle class in America. However, a reevaluation is in order. Like an adept spin doctor, we shall cast the word in a new light.
     Yesterday, my wife shared an enlightening video featuring popular blogger, author and speaker, Ann Voskamp. She spoke passionately about Christ and His wonderfully redeemed bride. Her challenge led the listeners into a time of deep reflection, at least it did for this partial listener. I say partial because I only watched a portion of the video, but I saw and heard enough to convict. When we assess our relationship to Christ what do we discover? Have we made seeking Christ into a mechanical business transaction? Lord, forgive us for our sin is great.
     You are probably wondering how we can make a fluid relationship into a mechanical transaction, right? I'm glad you asked. Imagine a golf swing for a moment. Classic, timeless golf swings appear seamless and flawless on camera. Unfortunately, my golf swing is neither. The ease and power generated by the polished golfer astounds me. While that swing has been forged through endless hours of repetitive motion and mechanical memory points, it appears both beautiful and fluid on camera. I have discovered that the more I focus on mechanics while I am swinging, the more rigid the swing becomes. I feel heavily restricted and incapable of producing anything resembling a fluid motion. I am thinking so much about the dynamics of the swing, that my swing loses its' dynamic. Confused?
     Think about it this way. Our relationship with God through Christ is built upon the mechanics of grace. By spending countless hours soaking up His grace, reveling in His grace, being renewed in His grace, the fluid dynamic takes root. The freedom we have in Christ radiates from our core. We then experience daily renewal, which can be defined as an intense repetitive freshness. I thirst for His grace and goodness, which makes for gladness. This type of relationship is dynamic, fluid and powerful.
     Being in relationship to God Almighty, through His one and only provision the Lord Jesus Christ unleashes this powerfully free life. However, if I treat God like a commodity or something that I get to enjoy in exchange for something I give, then I have made that relationship mechanical. It has morphed into a business transaction. I put in X and I receive Y. Grace is lost. Gladness is stamped out. Drudgery is gained. Rigid legalism is tattooed upon my heart, because I have reduced everything to a bottom line, to earning potential. If I don't perform at a high enough level, then my relationship with God will be less than ideal. Where can joy and gladness be found in that type of relationship?
     Look at it this way. If I am only in this relationship for what I get out of it, then I am a user. I perform what I must to get what I want. Real love and real joy are strikingly absent from this picture. God should enthrall all my senses, my total being. Heart, mind, soul, and strength should run like a tributary toward the great river of God's delight. The only currency I have to give unto God is my self. Losing my life for the sake of Christ and His gospel is the only way to save and secure life. 
     Now, that sounds like I am getting something in return. I give up life in order to gain life. The Bible clearly states that God is a rewarder of those that seek Him(Hebrews 11:6). God gives because He is a gracious giver. He is not obligated to bestow His grace. I am a wretch of a man. You are a wretch of a person. But, that did not stop God from giving His one and only Son that we may have abundant life, eternal life. We did not engage in a business transaction. God posted His divine "selfie," Jesus.
     Christ is the exact representation of God's nature and the radiance of God's glory(Hebrews 1:3). In Him, the fullness of Deity dwelt in bodily form(Colossians 2:9). Jesus declared boldly that if you have seen Him, then you have seen the Father(John 14:9). This truth impacts us squarely between the eyes. It penetrates to the point of dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, even judging the thoughts and intentions of the heart(Hebrews 4:12). That's a selfie I can gaze upon endlessly. The pure freedom of the gift of God's grace is beautiful to behold. I haven't earned it, instead I have responded to His gift. He initiated the relationship. We experience peace and reconciliation with God through union with Christ. That union comes through repentance and faith. I must cease trying to use God for my selfish purposes. Our relationship is built upon immovable principles, but the dynamics of that relationship are fluid and free.
     The psalmist captures this dynamic with these glorious words, "Glory in His holy name; let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad. Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face continually(Psalm 105:3-4). Notice that glory and gladness accompany this quest. God delights in finding and being found. The prophet Jeremiah attests that we should seek God wholeheartedly, and when we do we will find Him(Jeremiah 29:13). This search cannot come from selfish motives. It looks nothing like a cold, mechanical business transaction. Grace beckons us forward. God illuminates our path. God wraps us in peace, truth, love, forgiveness and righteousness. He rewards those who seek Him by faith. Here, the heart bursts with gladness. I know I haven't earned one cent of His love and grace. There was not a transaction, but there was a transformation. I will never own a fluid golf swing at this stage of life, but through Christ I am the humble possessor of a dynamic and free relationship with the Creator of all things. He purchased you and me by the sacrificial blood of the Lamb. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound!