The other day I took my Taylor guitar off the wall where it hangs in our living room and began to play some of the songs in which I’ve experienced God’s affection over the 48 years I’ve walked the planet; songs where my heart has burned with Gods love.

I leaned in.

“Jesus, I love you.” I sang and immediately His friendship flooded my heart. Wonder and thankfulness filled me.

With tears in my eyes, my voice weighted with the realization of Greater Love, I continued, “I turn my eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory, and grace…”

One song led to another.

“My Jesus, I love thee. I know thou aren’t mine…”

and

“My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

and

“Your name is like honey on my lips…”

With each hymn, I grew in my awareness of Jesus’ goodness and I was overcome by the great love we share for one another.

“Jesus, friends forever…” I sang, reconciled in love.

Friends forever.

It’s true, has been since before the foundations of the earth. And I’ve been awakening to it my whole life. And all humanity is invited to this awakening.

Friends forever.

Forever is a long time.

Even longer than time…

—

When I wrote this book under the title, Leaving Jesus, I did not write as a cynic, I haven’t lost faith. Just the opposite.

I am more fascinated by Jesus’ kindness, convinced in His goodness, amazed by His love, and confident in our friendship than I’ve ever been.

This isn’t a breakup book, it’s an expression of our friendship. And an expression of His great affection for humanity.

This book is an invitation to leave our infatuation with retribution and rediscover a relational God who walks beside us as a friend. This book is an invitation to repent, to turn from our cruel and punishing theological certainties, and awaken to the reconciling love of God…

 

Jason Clark is a bestselling storyteller who writes to reveal the transforming kindness of the love of God in a world traumatized by the religious abuses done in the name of the love of God. He and his wife, Karen, live in North Carolina with their three children, Madeleine, Ethan, and Eva.