I Need to Remember

Nothing can separate us

Romans 8:38-9: "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

First off, I realize that I haven't blogged since March 29th.  These last two months I feel like I've lost my blogger voice.  I'm not sure I have quite regained it, but hang in there... I'll be back.

But tonight I do want to share my new tattoo fresh from this morning.  It reads, "Nothing can separate us," a reference to Romans 8:38-9 (above).  I needed this written on me so that I would remember:

No matter what the world says...
No matter what anxiety or insecurity say...
No matter the lies that depression tells us....

Nothing can separate us from the love of God.  Nothing.

I like the use of the word "us".  When I look at this on my arm, I can imagine it is a reminder written to me from God, and that us means "me and God".  God wrote me a nice love note on my arm: "Don't forget, nothing will make me stop loving you."

But it also means "us" - as in you and me. Us.  

We are in this together, even though there is plenty that will try to rip apart any community: pride, jealousy, insecurity, trust issues, power issues, fear, etc...and we should do our best to try to build each other up, and not tear each other down.

Because nothing can separate us from the love of God. Not just me.  Not just you. And really, not even just us, but all.  Because there is no "them" in the family of God. There are no insiders and outsiders. That is good news for us, because it means we are not outsiders. It is good news for all of us, because we all belong.

God wrote us a love note:  "Don't forget, nothing will make me stop loving y'all."  (I'm sure sometimes God says "y'all.")

We don't have to be:
cool enough...
smart enough...
rich enough....
beautiful or handsome enough...
thin enough...
__________ enough....

We don't have to meet cultural expectations of how we should look, act or think.

We don't have to be perfect.

We don't have to have our !#% together.

Nothing can separate us from the love of God.  Nothing.

Thank God!

and thanks, God.

Not Even Wolverine

Romans 8:38-39: "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Wolverine attack on Halloween 2012

I'm sure Paul, the writer of Romans, would have also added "nor attack by Wolverine can separate us from the love of God."  He probably would have put something in there about Storm's long speeches too.  (In tonight's  picture, the part of Wolverine is played by the ever fantastic Andrew Shayde).

But seriously, the alternative title for tonight's blog post is "Why I Think Theology is Important." Hang in there, it isn't as boring as it may sound.

Theology is an attempt to understand who God is, and how we live our lives in response to that interpretation.  For example, if one sees God as angry, one may make life choices to try to appease God.  Unfortunately, people have used their definition of God to oppress, to discriminate  to wage wars, and to seize power. And truthfully, that pisses me off.

It is important to ponder and talk our concepts of who God is, especially in the midst of many voices that preach a God of hate or intolerance.  I want to add my voice of dissent to that kind of theology.  I understand God to be loving, accepting, and full of hospitality and welcome.  That belief dictates how I live my life.

Today's verse from Romans 8 is my favorite verse in the Bible, and tells us something of who God is.  It is a great reminder that no matter what, God loves us.  No matter what people say about who we are, no matter the success or failures we have, no matter our struggles with fear, depression, insecurity, alcohol, or drugs, no matter the names people call us...  that is *not* how God sees us.  Nothing can stop God from loving us like crazy.  Nothing.  Nothing.  Nothing.  Not even a wild Wolverine attack.

God of love, Sometimes it is hard to believe that you love us, especially when we hear voices of judgement.  Help us to know the depth of your compassion, and that you will never take that away from us.  Show us your love in our lives, especially if we have difficulty seeing it.  Please give us all big metaphorical hugs, and help us to love one another too.  Thanks, and Amen.

Social Anxiety Catch 22

Romans 8:35: "Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or sword?

Do you ever have that moment of social anxiety where you've said the wrong thing or let your insecurity slip out?  But then you can't take it back without making a bigger deal and drawing more attention to it?  Your insecurity is pleading for reassurance.  But it only makes you feel more unattractive to reveal this need?

I hate those spin cycles.

Me: "Did I say the right thing?  I think I just hurt his/her feelings / sounded uncool / revealed too much vulnerability."
Anxious me: "You'd better double check to make sure they still like you."
Reasonable me: "I'm sure everything is fine. Just chill out."
Anxious me: "THIS IS HORRIBLE!"
Me: "I'll find a way to be cool / nice / say the right thing again.  It'll be ok, Anxious Me."
Anxious me: "AAAAGH!"
Reasonable me: "Could I at least get a cupcake?"

And so it goes.  It doesn't happen all time, but I'm guessing I'm not alone in negative or insecure self talk.

So tonight I just have a simple reminder to myself - and to all of us.

You are loved.  You are wanted.  You are needed.  You are enough.

The answer to the question in Romans 8:35 above is no one and no way.  No one and nothing can separate us from God's love.  Period.

God of love, We can sometimes feel unworthy of love, from our friends or from you.  Please remind us that we are loved and wanted just as we are - bumps and scars and faults and all.  Nothing we can do will make you stop loving us.  Thank you.  Amen.