Turned out though that I had a natural talent for it (bowls, not being an old man) which led to a problem. How should I relate to people much older than me - what should I call them?
Some of us have grown up focused on the awesome attributes of God. Just like David in Psalm 8. 'O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder consider all your works...'. Of course, it's great from time to time to reflect on His majesty and power. But as in Psalm 8, it can lead to an approach to our relationship with God that asks 'what is man that you would even think of him?' If we don't look beyond this, we end up with 'miserable worm' syndrome - almost outdoing each other with tales of how unworthy we are. God is the awesome King and we are the pet dog who, if he is very good, is allowed to sit by the fire in the King's bedroom. Once or twice, when the King is in a particularly benevolent mood, we might even be allowed to curl up on the end of the bed.
Such a view erodes our power, deminishes our self-worth and degrades what God has done for us. We aren't worms! Jesus did not die for worms! We are new-life, set-free, empowered, co-heirs - who collectively will defeat the very powers of hell.
The truth is, our relationship with God has never been about power or status. It's not based on His majesty, power and might, but on love. Jesus says that He no longer calls us servants, but friends - even though he is King, He lays aside His right to be related to in that way.
The bowlers chose not to stand on their right to respect and formality. 'Call me Fred' said the 'skip' - the captain of my team. I never lost sight of the fact that it was a privilege, never used it as an excuse for disrespect, was always conscious that they were who they were. Curiously though, having laid aside the right to position, as we played together, as I got to know their stories, a much deeper respect grew than ever there would have been between an upstart adolescent an old man. Now it was founded on shared values, shared experience, mutual understanding rather than on mere power or status.
It helped of course that my immense talent won us lots of trophies...
The relationship God has chosen for us is not master-slave. Not even master-friend. But as loving father, as adopted brother, as co-heir and most extraordinarily, as Bride. This profoundly affects the way in which we approach God, the language we use, the content of our praying: If the relationship was master-slave, communication would be one directional. God would simply give us instructions, we would never initiate a conversation, never dare to ask, never hope for anything more. If the relationship was King-trusted advisor, it would be characterised by formality. But it is none of these, instead of stooping down, he lifts us up. Instead of condescending He promotes. So though He is a king, come boldly to the throne of grace. Though He is awesome, don't be overawed.
Because though He is a King, you too are made royal.
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