I remember Gomer

  • Thread starter Thread starter GregoryPalamas
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
G

GregoryPalamas

Guest
Conversion is difficult. I suppose that is like Peck’s famous starting sentence in his “The Road Less Traveled”. Conversion like life is difficult. Through intellectual decision and anguished effort we converted from United Methodism to the Church. I have little desire to return even though it was my livelihood for 27 years and I left behind most of my friends, except for one thing.

I remember Gomer.

The prophet Hosea was called to take “a wife of harlotry” (Hosea 1:2). So, he took Gomer to be his wife, just as God, as we soon learn, took Israel to be His bride.

This was no false pursuit, no feigned love, for Hosea and God say “I will allure her…and…speak comfort to her.” (2:14) even after her unfaithfulness is shown to be manifest. “I will take from her mouth the names of the Baals, and they shall be remembered by their name no more.”

Because Hosea and God claimed her she repents and becomes a faithful bride. God commands the prophet to “Go again, love a woman who is loved by a lover and is committing adultery.” (3:1)

I lived this for many years. It took a long time for me to come to the conclusion that I was really not effective in bringing this wayward bride home. (I gave my testimony some time back so won’t go into great detail again.) I concluded that I needed to come home to the Bride that our Lord established even though I believe that in some ways the Methodist Church was very effective for a time and was in some way part of the Bride of Christ.

Now I am wondering. Was I hasty? Should I have lived out my life as a UMC constantly calling that wayward bride home? Or was I really tilting at windmills all those years?

CDL
 
Just wondering. Did I place this Scripture question in the wrong forum?

CDL
 
Odd, I thought this was pretty provacative. Last try.

CDL
 
I’m not going to go into my whole testimony here, either, but I liken my conversion from Episcopalian into the Church, as one who was born to an alcholic parent, not as one who was married to the Episcopal church. The alcholic parent raised me as best she knew how and did wonderful things for me, and I love her dearly. I even sought to serve her within her household professionally. But there came a time when my true lover called and, after a long courtship overseen by an increasingly hostile parent, I eloped and joined the Church. Sure, I miss my parent, but I never would have grown under her roof, and certainly would not have become fruitful without following my true lover.

Now that I’ve been in the true Church for awhile, I am able to minister to many of those in my old household from a position of strength. Especially as I’ve seen her go into decline in her old age. Watching her decline is hard. Watching my brothers and sisters staying in the household and waching her drag them down is hard. But I can do more for them from my new position, if only setting the example that it’s OK to elope and bear fruit with one’s true lover.

hope i made sense.
 
Khoria,

The analogy makes good sense. One might use the instructions for marriage as well.

I do hope and pray that Gomer repents and comes back home. Perhaps you are correct that I’m in a stronger place to help her do that.

CDL
 
Making such a move, after so many years of service, is like experiencing a death. Yes, you did the right thing. Years ago I entered a contemplative community of nuns. I entered the convent after years of prayer and discernment, and I expected to spend the rest of my life there as the Bride of Christ. After just over two years, I left because I knew that’s what God wanted me to do. I have walked in His grace and love, serving His children in many ways. Still, there have been times when I wonder the same thing as you – should I have stayed? Should I have persevered?

You and I did not make our choices on our own whims, but through prayer and a listening heart we heard the voice of our Beloved calling us to our destiny. The memory of that call may not be as strong at times, but don’t confuse rational thought with the voice of God.

Referring back to Gomer… God asked Hosea to embrace her and love her back to Himself. He did not ask Hosea to become like her to convert her. I am not suggesting that the UMC is in any way the same as worshipping Baal, but I hope you see my correlation – unite yourself with God and His Church as you put His love into living action for others. This is what He, in His merciful love, has called you to.

Many blessings.

Gertie
 
Shazam!

Unfortunately, so do I. Hence I have almost no hair on my scalp.
 
Gertabelle said:
Making such a move, after so many years of service, is like experiencing a death. Yes, you did the right thing. Years ago I entered a contemplative community of nuns. I entered the convent after years of prayer and discernment, and I expected to spend the rest of my life there as the Bride of Christ. After just over two years, I left because I knew that’s what God wanted me to do. I have walked in His grace and love, serving His children in many ways. Still, there have been times when I wonder the same thing as you – should I have stayed? Should I have persevered?

You and I did not make our choices on our own whims, but through prayer and a listening heart we heard the voice of our Beloved calling us to our destiny. The memory of that call may not be as strong at times, but don’t confuse rational thought with the voice of God.

Referring back to Gomer… God asked Hosea to embrace her and love her back to Himself. He did not ask Hosea to become like her to convert her. I am not suggesting that the UMC is in any way the same as worshipping Baal, but I hope you see my correlation – **unite yourself with God and His Church as you put His love into living action for others. This is what He, in His merciful love, has called you to.
**
Many blessings.

Gertie
Click to expand...
This is wonderful Gertie, you have a gift of writing.

I can attest to CDLs work within the Church. He has drawn many in the Church to a stronger faith in God. And brought many on the outside in.

My friend, do not doubt your calling. For so many of us have been called into the Church to evangelize from within. The work you are doing is vital to the Church.

It is the darkness of this world that tries to confound what Christ in doing. When confusion and doubt come about, remember that is not from God.

Peace,
Pani Rose
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top