Layton Brooks, the fictional main character of Living Between the Ditches, illustrates the plight of most Christians. We bounce from one ditch to another, rarely experiencing the space between the ditches, the part of the road God intends for us to travel. In Layton's case, he began his Christian life in the ditch of knowing God so well he felt he had him in his back pocket. He'd grown up in a Christian home and church. God was familiar and predictable—or so he thought.
On page 92 of the book, I describe Layton faith as faith in a plan rather than in a Person. The plan was "like skull practice before a football game. Work your plan, stay with the basics, don't play into the opposing team's hands, and eventually you'll make a touchdown." Layton thought this advice worked for all of life. He'd worked his plan.
In this scenario, God was to be appeased instead of pleased. If God liked what you did, all would go well. If He didn't, He'd zap you with some catastrophe or the other. Being good almost always assured His favor. When Layton began to experience the inevitable heartbreaks of life—and a few he'd helped create—he turned his back on this supposedly good God. God hadn't come through for him. God hadn't kept his part of the bargain. Neither would Layton.
Layton found himself in the opposite ditch. The ditch of a mysterious God hid God's face from view. Was God good or bad, a giver or a taker, trustworthy or unreliable? Eventually, Layton had to choose between his childhood and childish view of God and a different, unfamiliar picture of Him. Leslee Baird called the process reframing.
Maybe you've been at that crossroads, or perhaps you're there now. In a few minutes, 2009 will end and 2010 will begin. Make it your resolution to get to know the God who longs to know you and be known by you—who wants a relationship unlike any other you've ever experienced. Ask Him to show Himself to you. Ask Him until He answers. Then, tell me what you learned!
I'll look forward to hearing from you in 2010!
Living between the ditches,
Betty
Thursday, December 31, 2009
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