When God Doesn’t Like Me

I am fairly sure there are days God doesn’t like me.  I know He loves me but loving and liking are two very different things.  I officiated at a marriage several years ago where it was evident the couple didn’t like each other.  So why would they want to get married and why would I participate?  It was complicated as are most relationships but it was evident they loved each other.  I was hoping they would grow to like each other.  It didn’t work out.  I should not have been so hopeful.  Without the liking the love eroded away.

I don’t think Jesus much liked the religious establishment that governed Israel.  His comments in Matthew 23 are extremely harsh and certainly are not used for persons we like. Yet He sat outside the city on the Mount of Olives and wept over them. I think He liked the woman who bathed his feet with her tears.  He certainly came to her defense when she was criticized.  There must have been something special about Zaccheaus other than his height.  It was obvious that Jesus liked him.  Jesus invited Himself home for dinner.  Liking someone is wanting to spend time with them and desiring to get to know them better.

Have you ever met someone for the very first time and didn’t like them?  Sure you have.  We all have.  Usually it is because they remind us of someone else that we don’t like and the new person is cashing in our dislike of the other.  The days God doesn’t like me are the days when I am very much unlike what He wants me to be.  Hopefully those days are not coming as frequently as in the past.  That’s what it is all about.  It’s about growing.

Written by Roger Bothwell on May 25, 2011

Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574

Rogerbothwell.org