What if you went into therapy and found that the counselor was Jesus?

I read this today at Ray Ortlund’s blog Christ Is Deeper Still. Ray is the pastor of Immanuel Church in the Nashville area. I’ve copied this directly from his blog, but substituted “Me” where Ray wrote “Nashville.”

WHAT IF I WENT INTO THERAPY, AND FOUND THAT THE COUNSELOR WAS JESUS?

Me: I’m tired. Really tired. Especially tired of failing and then covering it up with a smile.

Jesus: “I will pour water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground.”

Me: I can’t see that. And it’s not just me. The whole world is a mess. What about 9/11? What about all the horrible things that keep happening?

Jesus: “I form light and I create darkness. I make well-being and I create calamity. I am the Lord, who does all these things.”

Me: That scares me. I don’t want one God over all. I want many spiritual paths, all okay. That leaves me in control.

Jesus: “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth, for I am God, and there is no other.”

Me: So let’s say you are God. Let’s say you even love me. But why? You know all my secrets. Why do you love me?

Jesus: “For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another.”

Me: If I open my heart to you, don’t I risk ending up a fool? What if you fail, like everything else in my life?

Jesus: “By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.”

Me: And if I refuse?

Jesus: “There is no peace, says the Lord, for the wicked.”

Me: And if I say yes?

Jesus: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Me: But I’m so sinful.

Jesus: “I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like a mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.”

Me: But I’m so weak, so very weak.

Jesus: “A bruised reed I will not break, and a faintly burning wick I will not quench. I will lead the blind in a way they do not know, in paths they have not known I will guide them. I do not forsake them.”

(HT: Isaiah the prophet)