My Need
What do you think of this statement?
"Often, it is so much easier to do something for God then to simply trust in God."
It’s a point that I once made in a sermon a few years ago and it stirred in my heart once again tonight. Walking with Jesus for 40 plus years I know how to do the “Christian Thing”. It’s like doing the hustle (sorry about the disco reference) but without the strange dance moves. But it is a hustle…it presents the “form” or religion thing and not the relational thing. To journey with God has nothing to do with our natural ability (or lack thereof), it doesn’t matter what we bring to the table or what gifts we possess.
What I need to realize is the fact that it isn’t the strength of my character, my experience or my wonderful grip of the scriptures that wins God over. It was simply my need…the need to have Him enter my life. We don’t obey rules and commandments to get us closer to the Father. Like Jesus, we obey and follow because we are already close to Him. Father God knows that on this journey, maturity comes, discipline comes and “right doing” will come. The journey with God imbeds us in a relationship that will change us and benefit the world around us.
“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their afflictions, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27
“By the word religion I have seen the lunacy of fanatics of every denomination be called the will of god. Holiness is in right action, and courage on behalf of those who cannot defend themselves, and goodness.” - Kingdom of Heaven
Rules are good (most of them) we need right action; (anyone with kids knows this!) Following the Ten Commandments is a very good thing. Sacraments are good life practices. They can be the bridge, the step, and the one thing that awakes us to our need for more of Him. But we need to remember… just following rules and commandments, observing sacraments, are no guarantee of intimacy with the Father.
As I move away from a work list mentality, (and funny dance moves) I realize that I am here for a purpose higher and that like Jesus…I can go around doing good…because I belong to the Father.
That’s what I need…I need to be with Him.
What about you? Do you feel you have to earn your way into His heart?
Comments