Relationships are worth the hard work — especially the divine ones

Why do we expect reading the Bible to be easy, or comfortable? Why do so many of us resist the idea that reading it in light of historical or literary commentaries is important, or that wrestling with troubling texts or theologies for ages will undermine God?

God loves us — and love like that is worth the hard work. It’s worth it more than any of the other things we work for in our lives.

The simple fact that God is love does not mean that our relationship with God will always be comfortable. Something can be good without feeling good around the clock. I love my parents, but sometimes we argue. I love Diana, but I’m sure I disappoint her sometimes. I love my friends, but there are definitely times I get frustrated with some of them, and vice-versa. I learn a great deal from my professors and teachers, but there’s a clear power dynamic, and it can feel a little awkward at times.

All relationships have ups and downs, and take a lot of work. But they’re absolutely worth it. Couples counseling, advice from friends, and tear-filled late-night conversations can all be good and healthy things. There is no shame in intentionality. Sometimes, it’s not even the outcome of the work that matters — it’s the fact that we went through a process together.

Why would we expect anything different from the biggest, most loving, most formative relationship of all, or from its revelations, textual and experiential alike? There will be tensions — sometimes scary or painful ones, like any relationship. But they will form us in powerful ways, and that makes them beautiful. Grace doesn’t always come in the shape that we want or expect it. It’s harder. It’s better. We just have to be open. “Be not afraid.”