Thoughts on “Glimpse of Jesus” by Pastor Mark

Chapter 1

“I hope it is clear that feelings of guilt, accompanied by anxiety, fear and restlessness, arise from deep within ourselves and are not an accurate gauge of the state of our souls before God” (Bernard Bush as quoted by Brennan Manning in “A glimpse of Jesus” pg.7)

I was struck by the fact that, while my feelings of guilt may be the result of a sinful action on my part that results in anxiety, fear and restlessness, they are not a reflection of how God feels about me. Even though I have been a Christian for many years and have ministered to others and have spoken to them about the unconditional love of God, I am still learning to know that love for me. I am at times like the prodigal son that, because he feels like a slave he assumes his father will treat him like a slave. He anticipates the father will feel the same way about him as he feels about himself.

When I find myself feeling this way I usually go in one of two directions; I may just stop trying to please God altogether (why work so hard at trying to please a God that can’t be pleased). Or, I work harder to please him. I become a perfectionist and I allow little room for failure. Hoping I’ll do things so right that he won’t find fault. What a trap!

But what wondrous surprise it must have been when the prodigal son returns and finds out the father didn’t feel the same way he felt about himself! He showers him with his love!

Dear Lord, I need your help to see myself as you see me and not see you as I see myself. Help me take what I know in my head and put it into my heart. I desire to know the joy of the freedom from self-condemnation. I know you will help me with this. Amen