Monday, June 10, 2013

Boldly Reverent

I remember the first time years ago that Hebrews 4:16 became mine... And I realized that when it said, "So let us keep on coming BOLDLY to the throne of grace," that it meant I could come. And not hold back and just encourage others to go.

And when I pray, I do.

I go boldly.

(Ceiling of The Basílica in Cartago)

Jesus and I have incredibly candid conversations. My private prayers have been known to start with a humble, "God - we need to talk." My New England has come out when I was typing out a prayer for a friend in need, and ended it "In Jesus' wicked awesome name, Amen." And I horrified myself, when exhausted one night in Bible school, I accidentally referred to God as "Honey" in my bedtime prayer.

I am far from flippant in my relationship with God. I am aware that when I pray, I am addressing the God of the Universe. The Creator of all. But I also know I am addressing God my Father. The One who created me, loves me, and is fully vested in every detail of my life. Mom & Dad raised us to be incredibly respectful when praying, but also to know that God is big enough to handle the hard questions, when asked with a right attitude. And I'm grateful that when life is not making sense, or hurting too much, I can go to God and talk to Him. And not fear repercussions if I actually tell Him how I am feeling.

My first month in Costa Rica we visited The Basílica in Cartago, and the thing about that day that most affected me, was watching the devout Catholics humbly crawl down the long central aisle, to pray at the altar in the front.

(The Basílica)

And as I sat and watched I had conflicting thoughts.

One side of my brain said, "We get to come boldly!"

And the other side said, "When was the last time you humbled yourself enough to show that level of reverence when talking to God?"

(Making her way up the aisle)

We went back today, and the same conversation played over in my head as I watched numerous people make the long, hard journey on their knees to the front of the church.

There were people of every shape and size.

Those who were dressed up, and those in jeans.

Housewives and business men.

Old and young.

(Praying at the altar)

One little boy, Pokemon backpack plastered to his small back, was crawling as fast as he could trying to beat his mom up the aisle. He crawled so fast that he got a little top-heavy and did a face plant right next to the pew where I was sitting. He stayed flat on his face for a minute, then got up, flashed a huge grin at his mother, and flew down the rest of the aisle to the front.

The chapel was pretty silent, as people sat or knelt to pray, and I was distracted by talking behind me. Then, in my peripheral vision I saw that it was another person crawling his way to the front, praying out loud as he came. He was wearing a t-shirt, jogging shorts and bright yellow sneakers. He carried an empty water bottle in his right hand, that he periodically smacked into his open left palm. He had to stop frequently, because his bare knees bearing all his weight on the tile floor was painful. When he finally reached the altar, he crawled up the last three steps and stayed there to pray. And then, he rose and I watched as, instead of crossing himself he looked up at the statue of Jesus on the cross... and threw Him the peace sign.

So, I still don't have the equation of bold vs reverent figured out. I'm beginning to wonder if it's a time, place and situation kind of thing. And I know with certainty it is a heart issue. But that peace sign... deep down I kind of think that made Jesus smile.

 (Center of the ceiling)

4 comments:

  1. Ditto. I personally need the posture of reverence than I give it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It's a heart issue, an attitude issue. It's a love issue, a joy issue. It's a humility issue, it's an intimacy issue. It's a fearful reverence issue, it's a Jesus loves me issue and a Father God issue. It's an awesome God we serve issue!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Amen to Judy's comments. One of the most amazing things about the God we serve is that He is a "both and" God. He's is not limited to "either or." Boldness, reverence because of who He is. My very best concept of Him, is unimaginable small in comparison to who He really is.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for expanding my world thru this glimpse of the Basilica and those who worship there. And by pointing us again to a balanced God--who probably does smile at peace signs. SO grateful you are having these experiences & passing them on.

    ReplyDelete