Police, Santa Claus and Teachers…

God is different than I thought He was. He is funnier than I thought He was. God is more compassionate than I thought He was. He is more concerned about my life than I thought He was. Basically, God is far more amazing than I ever thought He was. 

Growing up in Christian home I naturally learned about what God has done for me on the cross because of His love, I learned how I stand alone on the grace of God and I learned what it means to live a Christian life. Yet, knowing the right answers when people ask about your relationship with Jesus Christ is completely different than knowing Jesus and living in the true freedom that only He can offer you. 

A friend of mine once told me three ways people, especially Christians, often view God without realizing it. I know for a fact that I believed these lies about God and His character before I finally started to let God show me who He truly is. God really laid it on my heart to share, with you, these lies about His character. 

1.) Police Officer

 LIE: We have this idea in our minds that God is like a police officer waiting behind a bush ready to catch anyone doing anything wrong and is ready to chase them down. So many people picture God sitting in heaven on His giant throne ready to punish anyone who makes a mistake. It could be the smallest mistake or the biggest sin, but either way we picture God so quick to judge and punish. 

TRUTH: Psalm 85:15 "But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness." When Jesus Christ said, "It is finished," before he died for you and me on the cross he truly meant that it was all finished. When Jesus Christ died he did not only died with our sins, but he also died with every feeling of guilt, shame and embarrassment we would ever have. We no longer live under shame, but instead we can continuously come back to God with no guilt. 

2.) Santa Claus

 LIE: There is at least one time in a child's life where they believe in Santa Claus, and they believe that they can ask Santa for anything their heart desires. Without a doubt in their mind, they believe that Santa will give them anything they ask. Christian's so often come to God laying down everything they could ever want or need, and they never spend time listening to what God actually has to say to them. We assume that because God loves us so much, he will give us whatever we want. I know I am extremely grateful that God does not give me everything I ask Him. My life would fall apart if I always lived by my own plans and wants.  

TRUTH: Isaiah 55:8-9  "'For my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.'" God's ways are so much greater and more perfect than ours will ever be. Our life is in the hands of the maker of heaven! Jeremiah 29:11 say, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

3.) Substitute teacher.
LIE: Substitute teachers often are known for not being able to have any control over their students. Many christian's see God as a god with no control or power. We believe that we can run from God, hide from Him and sin constantly without God knowing. So often we think that God must not be powerful enough to get control of this earth.  

TRUTH: The story of Jonah in the bible shows how Jonah tried to run away when God called Jonah to the city of Ninevah, but God already knew the steps and course Jonah was going to take. Proverbs 16:9 "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." God cares so much about our lives that he goes before us, and prepares the way for us to move forward. God is good! 

For the longest time, I truly believed these lies about God's character without even realizing it. Although, believing these lies hindered the way I lived my life for God. Daily God shows me more about his love for me, and the romance he wants me to have with Him. I am thankful with everything in me that I am not who I was when I took my first step here, and I'm clinging to the promise that He is not through with me yet!