God's suffering

Yesterday, I wrote about the image of God, and how our relationship with God moves us closer and closer to reflecting the complete image of God.

Carder, in the next chapter of Living our Beliefs, talks about how sin is the opposite of this.  Sin is the reflection of something other than the image of God.  When we sin, we fall short of our potential -- short of what we were created to be.  If you look at yesterday's list, sin means that we fail in our ability to have understanding and free will, to be good stewards.  It means we fail to discern right from wrong and that we fail to be holy.  When we sin, our actions and thoughts reflect something other than the face of God.  We fail to be what we were created to be.

Now read this quote from the book:

The consequence of persistent denial and betrayal of the divine image is suffering – the suffering of God.  God so closely identifies with the human family that God assumes the suffering and death inflicted upon it.  The cross of Christ, then, represents sin’s tragic consequences upon humanity and upon God.

Have you ever thought of your sin as bringing about the suffering of God?  So often I think we believe that our sin doens't really hurt anyone else -- or at least we fool ourselves into believing that about certain of our sins.  But what about the idea that our sin brings suffering to God?

Of course, obviously, our sin brought about the suffering on the cross, but what about today?  Think about God suffering today because of your sin.  My sin.