As a former evangelical who never went back to church post-Covid, I'm still finding my way. It's been lonely, but I'm not alone. Thanks for your post! It helped me remember there are so many others out there who are giving themselves permission to change their minds about the church, politics & who they thought they were. Jesus, the one who was, and is, and still to come, has been with me in the questions, curiosity, doubt & fear. Quiet but very much here. Can't really explain it well, but 'All mighty' used to mean the fear of hell and waiting for the hammer to come down, along with heavy doses of guilt & shame. Now? It means the One who was, is, and will be. The suffering One who put on flesh & bone, and walks with us today. The One who holds all things together, even when "life be lifing" and grief weighs heavy and everything is falling apart. Thank you for your thoughts, deep dives (this world needs more nerds like you to keep writing and publishing!) and words about repentance and unveiling. I'm so thankful for spaces like this where we can be safe when we've decided to change our mind about some things we thought were rock solid, but were really filled with sand. We are, for sure, living in a time of unveiling and I hope to stay tender hearted in the revelation and heartbreak. Keep up the good work. This world needs you!
Beck, that's beautiful - what a journey and thanks so much for sharing some of it here! I totally resonate with rethinking what "all mighty" means, and about Jesus being quietly with us as we change and grow. We are not alone!
I appreciate your heart and mind and all the things that have shaped your spirit of love. It’s important to write about these sorts of pieces because we need ways to experiment with and explain things that often do not make sense in scripture. Most days those scriptures don’t make sense in the world either. But there is something sacred about giving space for the holy to be shared. No matter our opinions. Like walking past a cathedral for example, we are reminded of the holy. Sometimes it’s the reminder that shifts us if even for just that moment.
As a former evangelical who never went back to church post-Covid, I'm still finding my way. It's been lonely, but I'm not alone. Thanks for your post! It helped me remember there are so many others out there who are giving themselves permission to change their minds about the church, politics & who they thought they were. Jesus, the one who was, and is, and still to come, has been with me in the questions, curiosity, doubt & fear. Quiet but very much here. Can't really explain it well, but 'All mighty' used to mean the fear of hell and waiting for the hammer to come down, along with heavy doses of guilt & shame. Now? It means the One who was, is, and will be. The suffering One who put on flesh & bone, and walks with us today. The One who holds all things together, even when "life be lifing" and grief weighs heavy and everything is falling apart. Thank you for your thoughts, deep dives (this world needs more nerds like you to keep writing and publishing!) and words about repentance and unveiling. I'm so thankful for spaces like this where we can be safe when we've decided to change our mind about some things we thought were rock solid, but were really filled with sand. We are, for sure, living in a time of unveiling and I hope to stay tender hearted in the revelation and heartbreak. Keep up the good work. This world needs you!
Beck, that's beautiful - what a journey and thanks so much for sharing some of it here! I totally resonate with rethinking what "all mighty" means, and about Jesus being quietly with us as we change and grow. We are not alone!
I appreciate your heart and mind and all the things that have shaped your spirit of love. It’s important to write about these sorts of pieces because we need ways to experiment with and explain things that often do not make sense in scripture. Most days those scriptures don’t make sense in the world either. But there is something sacred about giving space for the holy to be shared. No matter our opinions. Like walking past a cathedral for example, we are reminded of the holy. Sometimes it’s the reminder that shifts us if even for just that moment.
That's beautiful, thank you Shelly! Appreciate you!
Appreciate you too.