God is not far off, in some distant land, ruling the world
detached and unmoved by his people. He
is a prayer away. Closer than a phone
call. We don’t even have to pick the
phone up or log in to Facebook and send a message. We simply can open our mouths are He hears us
(Isaiah 38:5).
He cares about the things that we care about – being healthy,
paying bills on time, doing well on our jobs, having loving relationships and
being filled with joy, living stress and worry free (Psalms 56:22).
I know the promises of God and when I think about Jesus, I’m
overwhelmed with gratitude, but that isn’t the state I live in. I read something the other day that said, ‘Christians
are just not committed and that’s why they are not getting anything done.’ I was shocked by the statement, but not
surprised. I had to ask myself, “Am I
committed?”
I wake up in the morning and I’m bombarded with all kinds of
thoughts – things I want to get done, even things I don’t want to get done. I try to make my coffee and grab my Bible to
read a few scriptures before the day gets really going. At some point in the afternoon, I’ll try to
read my Bible App and get in another few minutes with the Word. I’ll shoot a couple quick, “thank you Lord,” “Hallelujah,”
“God is good,” shout outs during the day; and a prayer at night when I go to
bed; Church on many Sundays – not all;
giving a few dollars to the needy I see on the streets, most times. However, I still didn’t feel committed. I’m leaving something to be desired,
something left on the table.
What would a committed relationship to God look like? For many who are married, you can think of
the relationship you have with your spouse and compare the difference. How much time do you spend with your
wife? How many times in the day do you
talk to your husband? Would you be okay with
seeing him once a week on Sunday for 3 hours only? (Please don’t answer that). If we could spend more time lying in each
other’s arms and whispering ‘I love you,’ as we held each other tight, the
cares of the day would just melt away.
It’s romantic and maybe far-fetched if you feel your relationship has
lost that spark, but wouldn’t it be nice.
Or maybe you and your honey like to enjoy going out to eat at fancy restaurants,
or playing a game of Scrabble in front of the TV. That time would be so precious, so invaluable
to your love affair.
I know it sucks, but we have to get up earlier, stay up
later, steal away during the day more, set aside the time at night and press
through the demands of life to kindle that spark with a God who “longs to be
gracious to you, and rises to show you compassion” (Isaiah 30:18).
The Word is bursting with love messages from our Lord. He’s so ready to be everything we need. Crack open a Bible and drop read and you’ll
see no matter where you land, God has a message of love to you. He wants to be in a committed relationship
with his people. I’ll do it now…
Ezekiel 6: OK, not quite what I was expecting, but get
caught cheating and see what your spouse has to say to you about that.
Nehemiah 8:10 – Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks
and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our
Lord. Do not grieve for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Luke 12:22 – Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Therefore I
tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body,
what you will wear. Life is more than
food and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens, they do not sow or
reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them.
We really can go treasure hunting in the Word of God. It is full of Scriptures that will enrich our
lives. There is so much more available
than what is listed here. Just know that
God wants to be in a committed relationship with you so He can love on
you. There isn’t anything you can ask
that He isn’t able to provide. So, “taste
and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8).
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