“Love for God
needs to be kindled, tended, watched over, breathed on, treasured, enflamed,
celebrated and exalted above all else... It is not a procedure, recipe or
military discipline, and not an impersonal idea. It is a gift never to be taken for granted or
treated passively. It is passion for the most desirable
person
in the universe: Jesus!” Rolland Baker
That quote speaks deeply to me! It reminds me that my highest priority must be maintaining my relationship with
Jesus. Not because it’s a devotional chore I must
complete to be on God’s good side, but because my friendship with God is a
living thing. Because it’s alive, it needs tending, like any living thing. I
must feed it, protect it and weed out unbeneficial intrusions in order to keep
it growing and healthy.
To let my love and
need for Jesus cool, or retreat to the back of my priorities is to risk a very
great danger. Because I am a creature of two worlds, neglecting the
supernatural tends to point me squarely at the natural. I can begin to
live as if I must rely on my own wits, my own strength and my own resources. Focusing
more on myself, I lose focus on God and my connection to Him. Faith bleeds
away. Fear rises. My problems seem large and unsolvable.
My world flattens and depresses into a very small, very dark, very silent
place. Much too small for hope or joy or peace. So small I no longer
see the big picture, where God has my back.
In the fight
to reinvigorate my relationship, my part is to stand, to encourage my flagging faith, to
strengthen my feeble hands and weak knees…to keep moving in rhythm with
God. Sounds heroic, doesn’t it? But let’s make that picture more realistic.
Usually by the time I even realize I’m in the fight, I’m pinned down in a
foxhole under heavy fire, wounded, demoralized and scared witless. So weak I can barely lift my head to squeak out a whisper for help. But calling
for help is a step of faith, whether or not I have a courageous attitude...or cool armor. Knowing that I’m helpless without
Him and calling for rescue is half the battle—and He does the rest.
I fall into error (and
feel stupid) when I begin to run my spiritual life by habit, taking my relationship with Jesus for
granted. Salvation isn’t something I have, like a merit badge I pull out of my pocket when I need it. It’s the start of a whole new existence. The beginning
of a collaboration that will carry me through this life, and on into eternity. I really bring nothing to the table; He has done, and will do it all.
But that’s why neglecting my most vital relationship is deadly. My life is all
in Him. To access it, I must stay connected to Him. To live in response to Him.
To stick close. To keep the lines of communication open; talking to Him, but
also listening. Mostly listening. He has my weather report, my survival
kit, my agenda. He’s my supply line, my stockpile, my health care system and my
psychiatrist. He's my fortress and refuge from disaster. My closest friend, my deepest need. His love
for me is fierce and relentless and never-ending. How could I not seek Him as the most
desirable person in the universe?
Thxs Lynda very good word...a rise and stand, be strong in the Strength and Power of HIS Might in us
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