Great Thoughts from Rob Bell

I have been re-reading Sex God by Rob Bell and loved these words.


For thousands of years Christians have found the cross to be so central to life. It speaks of God's suffering, God's pain, God's broken heart. It's God making the first move and waiting for our response.

If you have ever given yourself to someone and had your heart broken, you know how God feels.

If you have ever given yourself to someone and found yourself waiting for their response, exposed vulnerable, left hanging int the balance, you know how God feels.

If you have ever given yourself to someone and they responded, they reciprocated with love of their own, you know how God feels.

The cross is God's way of saying, "I know what it is like."

It's the place we find out that we're not alone, where we find the strength to go on. Not a strength that comes from within ourselves but a strength that comes from God. The God who keeps going. Who keeps offering. Who keeps loving. Who keeps risking. A God who knows what it is like.

If God can continue to risk, then maybe we can too.

Perhaps you have had your heart broken by someone. You risked and extended yourself and they rejected and turned away and didn't return your love.

There is something divine in your suffering.

Somebody divine in your pain.

You know how God feels.

Really good, loving people get hurt. It's how things are.

Love is risky for God too.