We must never allow anything to injure our relationship with God; if it does get injured we must take time and get it put right. The main thing about Christianity is not the work we do, but the relationship we maintain and the atmosphere produced by that relationship. That is all God asks us to look after, and it is the one thing that is being continually assailed.
Oswald champbers
For a God who spoke the world the world into existence and created every living thing through His words, what does He really need us to do for Him?
The world is so busy. There is the constant striving for bigger and better, to have a platform and influence, to be a part of this or that, and, of course, the ever-constant fear of missing out.
Our relationship with God can follow a similar path. We volunteer for this and do that thing “for the Lord.” While our intentions may be good, we often neglect the most important thing – a genuine, intimate relationship with God.
Scripture speaks of our relationship with God as being like that of a bride and bridegroom. I recently read the book The Divine Romance by Gene Edwards, and it had a powerful impact on my understanding of how God so greatly desires to be with us. Everything He has done from Creation until now is preparing for the time when the chasm of distance between us will be removed, and we will be in an intimate relationship with Him. Jeremiah 31:3 tells us the Lord says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.”
As I read Edward’s book, my heart began to break for the sadness of all the times I dismissed God. My mind seems to default to things of lesser importance, and I fail to live in the moment of loving my Lord. How often has He looked upon me with longing as I flit through trinkets of a second-best life as He so faithfully has wooed my heart to His? Is the bent of my heart to be in total relationship with God, or is it bent to the cheap imitations this world offers instead? Psalm 53:2 challenges me: “God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.” (Check out The Divine Romance by Gene Edwards HERE. )
One of my favorite songs on repeat right now is Abandon by Mosaic. This chorus is my current prayer.
But completely, deeply, sold-out, sincerely abandoned
I’m completely, freely, hands-to-the-ceiling enamored
My one-life endeavor
To match Your surrender
To mirror not my will, but Yours
Oh, I’m completеly, deeply, don’t-care-who-sees-me abandoned
Oh, I surrеnder all
To live a life fully abandoned to God, is to love deeply. Just as we become one with our spouse, so God wants us wholly devoted to Him. His love knows no bounds, His grace is sufficient, His provision is immeasurable and His promises are faithful.
May we continue to live…
Rooted in Him,
