In Jane Austen's Mansfield
Park, Aunt Norris couldn't bring
herself to be happy for her
niece, Fanny Price. When Cousin
Edward suggested giving Fanny a
horse, Aunt Norris objected that
it would be too extravagant a
gift. When Fanny was invited to
a ball, Aunt Norris didn't think
it appropriate for her to go.
After all, Fanny wasn't from the
noble part of the family and
didn't deserve the same perks
her cousins enjoyed.
Have you ever known someone
like that? Someone who can't
seem to endure seeing others
blessed and who always rains on
everyone's parade? Perhaps
you're like that. I have been
from time to time. Instead of
rejoicing with others, either
out of jealousy, self-pity or
just plain meanness, we
sometimes say or do things to
bring happy people down.
Many Christians, unable to
accept the magnitude of God's
grace, add conditions to
everything from church
membership to teaching
children's classes-to salvation.
Being accepted by God can't be
as easy as simply believing!
Surely people need to be made
aware of just how horrific sin
is to God and how angry he is at
everyone. No one can get away
with anything less than
repenting on bloody knees, going
through a gauntlet of misery and
emotional suffering to prove
their understanding of sin,
followed by years of doing good
works. Being saved is the easy
part; actually getting to heaven
requires much effort.
Or does it? Do you still
wonder how God can let everyone
in on the fun of grace,
regardless of how serious their
sins? How he can pay the
latecomers to the vineyard the
same as those who started work
at dawn? How he can welcome the
prodigal son, who hadn't even
taken the time to have a bath?
The beautiful thing about
understanding God as a
Trinitarian being is a simple
concept called inclusion.
Father, Son and Spirit include
each other in everything. Each
does nothing without the others.
The love enjoyed by Father, Son
and Spirit overflows to the
whole of creation and includes
all of us, every living thing
from beginning to end. No one is
left out. No one must feel the
sting of rejection or
abandonment - in this life, yes,
but not with God.
The import of this truth is
enormous. Every single person
you see (and those you don't see
- everyone who ever lived) is
included in God's life. There
are no exceptions. Some will
choose to exclude themselves,
but that's between them and God,
and is none of our business. Our
business is to love and include
everyone to the best of our
ability and leave the judging to
God.
What a difference this
understanding would make to
churches everywhere! I can't
imagine how many tracts would
have to be reprinted if this
truth were embraced. The
sinner's prayer would become the
beloved's prayer or the
believer's prayer. That little
bridge used to illustrate the
gulf between God and humanity?
Gone! Instead you might see a
picture of the loving arms of
God, holding someone who may
still be in need of a bath,
clean clothes and a meal, but
grateful, happy and loved.
If Aunt Norris had understood
this, she could have contributed
not only to her niece's
happiness but also to her own.
She could have changed the rain
that ruined the parade into a
rainbow, with blessings for
everyone, just as God intends.
