My relationship with God should be (and is) the most important relationship in my life. I think most of you would agree or at least agree that it should. It's obvious that God has the same purpose in mind (the 1st Commandment testifies to that) and is willing to spend my whole life to bring it about. But there are certain "problems" I continually run into that make this a difficult task.
1) He's invisible . . .
Believe it our not, that's a huge thing. I remember years ago when I was going through a particular trial in my life and I felt all alone. I sat on the edge of my bed, weeping and bemoaning the fact that I had no one to share with. I could almost hear the sorrow in God's voice as He said,"You have Me." I knew that but I wanted someone with a face and arms. It's so hard to hug a spirit and yet, no one can give us that ultimate comfort like God.
2) He's in complete control. . .
Yes, this can be a problem, especially when something happens in my life that turns it (and me) upside down. I want to blame the devil, myself, or someone else (and they can be to blame) but behind ALL of that is God. He holds the keys to the gates of heaven and hell and only He is really in control of what happens in my life. So if I want to be realistic, I am going to need to face the dark truth that even though He cannot be the author of evil, He can and does allow it. This is a most difficult thing to accept but imperative if I'm truly going to place Him in that number one position.
3) He is no respector of persons . . .
How is this a problem? Well, it's not when it has to do with others. As long as I'm sitting in God's lap, safe and secure, protected by His love and care and it's my enemies who are tasting a bit of His indignation, it's great. But when His eye turns towards me and He doesn't regard my relationship as exclusive when it comes to being humbled in front of my enemies, then it's a problem. I can't get Him to "side with me." It makes me mad that MY FATHER also loves the person who just wounded me as much as He loves me! If I do wrong to another, it matters not if they believe in Him or regard Him as a myth, He will call me task for it and in front of them if necessary.
So now I have this Great Big, all controlling, all powerful, Master of the Universe whom I can't see (except on the pages of the Gospels) and with whom I have no exclusive right to His goodness and mercy, as the primary relationship in my life. How do I trust, love, and put my whole existence in His hands? I guess that's what He and I are working out. And the first thing is to straighten those first three problems. Once we get past those, I am sure things will be a lot easier . . . maybe.
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
Rev. 22:13
1) He's invisible . . .
Believe it our not, that's a huge thing. I remember years ago when I was going through a particular trial in my life and I felt all alone. I sat on the edge of my bed, weeping and bemoaning the fact that I had no one to share with. I could almost hear the sorrow in God's voice as He said,"You have Me." I knew that but I wanted someone with a face and arms. It's so hard to hug a spirit and yet, no one can give us that ultimate comfort like God.
2) He's in complete control. . .
Yes, this can be a problem, especially when something happens in my life that turns it (and me) upside down. I want to blame the devil, myself, or someone else (and they can be to blame) but behind ALL of that is God. He holds the keys to the gates of heaven and hell and only He is really in control of what happens in my life. So if I want to be realistic, I am going to need to face the dark truth that even though He cannot be the author of evil, He can and does allow it. This is a most difficult thing to accept but imperative if I'm truly going to place Him in that number one position.
3) He is no respector of persons . . .
How is this a problem? Well, it's not when it has to do with others. As long as I'm sitting in God's lap, safe and secure, protected by His love and care and it's my enemies who are tasting a bit of His indignation, it's great. But when His eye turns towards me and He doesn't regard my relationship as exclusive when it comes to being humbled in front of my enemies, then it's a problem. I can't get Him to "side with me." It makes me mad that MY FATHER also loves the person who just wounded me as much as He loves me! If I do wrong to another, it matters not if they believe in Him or regard Him as a myth, He will call me task for it and in front of them if necessary.
So now I have this Great Big, all controlling, all powerful, Master of the Universe whom I can't see (except on the pages of the Gospels) and with whom I have no exclusive right to His goodness and mercy, as the primary relationship in my life. How do I trust, love, and put my whole existence in His hands? I guess that's what He and I are working out. And the first thing is to straighten those first three problems. Once we get past those, I am sure things will be a lot easier . . . maybe.
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
Rev. 22:13
