When Anderson was in first grade he lied to his teacher. When he got home, we had a little talk.
“Each time you lie, you are putting a brick between you and Mrs. Henderson.” I told my little boy. “The more you lie, the more bricks pile up. At some point you won’t be able to see her any longer because the bricks will separate you.”
His lower lip trembled. “But I don’t want to be separate from her. How do I take the bricks away?”
“When you ask for forgiveness, the bricks will crumble.”
Anderson loved Mrs. Henderson. The next morning he asked for her forgiveness and stopped that brick wall from ever beginning.
There are also bricks that block us from a relationship with God. The bricks may be the thought that God will make us change, or that there will be no fun in life, or the idea that a relationship with God has too many rules to follow.
These bricks distract us from the real problem. Because even when God works in our heart to draw us toward Himself, we find that there is a stronger brick wall behind the bricks we’ve put up. God is on one side of the brick wall and we are on the other.
If this was the end of the story, this would be tragic. But stay with me, there is a larger story going on here.
This wall was put into place way back in Genesis, in the Garden of Eden. It was put there by the enemy to place a permanent wedge between God and His creation, to nullify His plans to love and to bless His creation.
The enemy laid the foundation for this wall by layering bricks of doubt, “Did God really say…”, and mistrust, “God knows that when you eat of it then you will be like Him”. If sin begins by our refusal to believe what is true about God, then this was the birthplace of every sin known to man.
But the enemy did not count on the mercy of God. The enemy had no way of knowing what God was willing to do to break through that wall of darkness, mistrust, and doubt. God tore down that wall through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Why would He do that?
Because of His great love for us. The love of God is shown in this, that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. While that wall was still there, before we ever searched for Him, He searched for us.
He did not create us to be alienated from Him. He made us for life with Him.
His kindness leads us to repentance. His kindness causes us to want change in our life.
His Face is toward us and all His Paths are steadfast love and faithfulness.
He answers our heart’s cry with gentleness and grace.
And he will disintegrate any layer of bricks to win your heart and mine. His love is just that great.
You are loved. You are loved!
Say it. Believe it. Live it.