God is a beckoning word.
I was struck some years ago by this phrase. It caused me to stop and ponder for many reasons, including the way that it frames God as a verb – not something restricted to a noun, a definable thing. But also because it suggests that the divine is welcoming, enticing, to be approached in comfort and safety, rather than the restricted and demanding deity who expects us to fulfil expectations or to conform.
As I spent time with these thoughts, it began to dawn on me that this characteristic is also seen in the nature of who Jesus was and how he lived. Jesus, who, after all, came to show us what God is like. Jesus welcomed everyone. The leper, the tax collector, the prostitute, the fisherman, the ostracized woman by a well, the children, and yes, the religious leaders. As he welcomed he may have disagreed, often challenged and yes, at times, he found a way to leave, but he never turned anyone away.
The ‘rich young ruler’ was welcomed, it was he who decided to turn away. The pharisees tried to trick Jesus – he welcomed their questions, it was they who left or changed the subject. He welcomed Judas to his table, he gave space to questions from his close bunch of friends. He took his time getting to Lazarus or to Jairus to see his daughter. But he never turned anyone away.
God beckons us, it is the divine nature to do so. His arms are open wide to all. That’s just the way he is. Can I sit with that a while and allow its truth to seep into my soul. No matter what, who, why or where, God beckons, welcomes, invites.
God is a beckoning word.