Emily Adomanis

(partial) transcription of Allen Hood’s “The Playfulness of God” (1 of 4)

Oh! But there is confusion in the body of Christ…It’s as if we come into the kingdom, we believe in Jesus because we’re told we have to, to be born again and live forever. Then once we come in we’re so confused and we just do things in order to earn His favor. We just hope that if we get the right combination right He’ll like me maybe…No, it’s not going to be like that. God is not like that. God is not moody. He’s not capricious. He never has a bad, moody day. He never wakes up on the wrong side of the bed. Every moment, 24 hours a day, His heart is dreaming of ways to encounter you! He has mental genius incomparable in its focus right on you. But the reason why we are in confusion is we have no idea who we were made to be and where we are going at the end. If we understand that, it breaks off one massive thing, the misery of living in shame. Let me tell you, there is a no more miserable thing to be a Christian and not be able to enjoy God. It’s horrible! Think of the millions of Christians who never are able to enjoy God! And it’s all about Him! There’s only one good thing about being in the kingdom of God…it’s God! There’s only one good thing about heaven…it’s Him! And beloved, when He comes back to earth there’s only going to be one good thing about that…it’s Him! God. He’s awesome and He’s beautiful. But we have no idea the height from which we’ve fallen. God purchased us with royal blood for one reason, He wants to enjoy you!

I remember in my life I would argue with Him about all the little things I’d done. I’d plead, and bargain and beg that He’d hopefully like me. I remember the time He spoke to me, He said,

“Allen! You keep thinking all these little things are your problem! You have a much bigger issue with me! You have a whole bigger issue with me that we have to set straight than these little things you think you’re doing wrong…” He says, “They’re serious, but I have a much more serious problem…you hate the very thing I died for. You don’t like that which I love, and gave everything for! You hate you! You don’t like your life! You think you’ve got the wrong package. You think if you could have that person’s package…if you could just be like Mike you would have the God thing down and know that you’re His favorite… You don’t like you and I’m madly in love with you! We have a massive problem! You see, we’re incompatible in the way you’re thinking right now. You hate what I love! You hide in shame because you hate what I love. You despise yourself. We’re incompatible…and until you change, guess what? I don’t change. I’m not budging on this issue.”

You cannot talk God out of loving you. Your quiet time cannot talk Him out and your accusing voices can’t convince Him you’re not worth it. Even in your most suicidal moment he says, “bah humbug! I’m not listening! I shed royal blood to get you! I purchased you with the very life force that I had in my own being. I poured it out. I came as a man, I humbled myself. I courted you and tried to fascinate your heart…and at the very fullness of time I even gave myself for you. I broke the power of death! I came out of the grave! I am convinced that I’m going to have you or nobody will! You can’t talk me out of it. I’m lovesick.”

You see, we have no idea who we are. We speak of the cross only in the terms of legal atonement. We say, Jesus came to atone for our sin. He bailed us out. He was the righteous layer who came and made a defense before the Righteous Judge, the Father. We were on trial and in the middle of the court scene, when we we’re about to get the death penalty, the layer says, “I’ll take it. They’re a mess but Father, I’ll do it”. And He takes the punishment. And now the layer rises from the dead and says, “I did it. I was an atoning sacrifice for your sin. Believe in me, and you’ll live. If you don’t, you won’t. And I’m watching you very closely…because I gave My life to make up for your mess and the least you can do is get it right!”

That’s how we picture Him! Let me tell you…you were not born in a courtroom! And you’re not going to a courtroom! And the cross is not just about legal equital! It’s about a lovesick God who dreamed up a creature that’s so noble that He’s willing to take on your form and give His life for you! Do you know who we are!? We have no idea the height from which we’ve fallen! Our hearts accuse us. The enemy rages against us. And there’s a lone voice in the wilderness shouting, “it’s not true! I formed you in your mother’s womb! You are the nobility of another age! I’m madly in love with you! I’ve made you an image barer of myself! There’s no other creature like you…and you can’t talk me out of it. I’m lovesick.”

Let me tell you, your God is no passive judge. He is a turbulent, burning, fiery, passionate, ardent lover and you’re the one creature He’s set His affections on. Deuteronomy 10:14 says this, the heavens are His, the highest heavens are His, and the earth and everything in them…He owned it all but he set His affections on you. What do you do when a burning, jealous being sets His affections on you? We’re talking the ultimate stalker in the universe. For real. He will stalk you all the way to the pit of hell to win your love. But this one’s not violent…He gives his own life that you can live. He comes after you. He’s waiting at every turn. He’s setting up ambushes. He seems to think He has the right to enjoy you. He seems to have it in His mind that He loves you like no other creature and is willing to go to the depths to get you. You can’t talk Him out of it.