When my sister and I were young, we loved to play a game on the swings. The game was pretty straight forward. First we’d get ourselves swinging as high as we could. Then everytime we came forward, we’d lean back and yell “butts in the air!” Everytime it made us giggle, and gave a good laugh to our parents, or whoever would be watching us at the time. It took effort for us to swing ourselves that high, and continued effort to keep it going. But it was worth it, for the endless silliness of shouting “butts in the air!”
As odd as it may sound, I think this is a good analogy for a relationship with God. How many times in our lives do we say “but” to God? I know I often do.
“God I will love you, but I want to have some fun first.”
“God I will follow you, but I want you to meet my expectations.”
“God I will love others, but I want them to respond well.”
Sometimes without even meaning to, I’ll have a “but” in my mind as I’m praying. “God I love you, I cherish you, and I want to do better in knowing you. But I also know myself, and I know where I’m going to fail again. But it’s okay, you forgive me everytime.” That’s not inherently a bad prayer, until it shifts from wise analysis to cheap excuse.
What does God teach us about a relationship with him? I think of John 15, verse 5. “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
Think about that word, “abide”. To accept a decision. The original greek word, μένων, also means to stay, or remain. God doesn’t call us to temporary flings or conditional relationships, he calls us to a deep, everlasting relationship. So what if we built up our momentum, and threw our buts in the air?
Just like riding the swings, it will take some effort on our part. We don’t get to start at the top of the arc. And even once we get there, we have to keep reaching for it or we will slow back down until we’re resting at the bottom again. But let us not forget that God himself has put in that effort as well. Romans 5, verse 8 reminds us that “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God’s love wasn’t conditional, it didn’t come with a “but”, it was the “but”. So let’s follow the example of Christ Jesus, and throw our buts in the air! 🙂
Father, I pray today that whoever reads this would surrender to you. Whatever buts they may be carrying, whatever conditions they feel their love needs, help them to let go of them, and to come to you as they are, wholly and completely. May we be reminded of what you did for us through your son Jesus, and may we be continually renewed by your spirit to keep pumping our legs, and keep throwing our buts in the air. Amen.