Greg Boyd recently questioned, “How can you expect to grow when you spend 99% of your day not thinking about God?” This hits the nail on the head. Many Christians spend their lives waiting for God to show them what to do, but the vast majority of their time is spent looking for anything but what God may be trying to bring to their attention. Others say sometimes they feel like God isn’t listening or isn’t even there. I submit that the reason you might believe He isn’t listening is because you won’t stop talking. Perhaps the reason you think He isn’t there is because you never sit still long enough to experience His presence.
Archives for September 2013
Staying Connected
In John 15:1-8, Jesus tells a story that conveys almost everything we need to know in order to live as His disciple. It’s the familiar parable of the vine and the branches. The fact that the passage is so familiar is problematic. Those who have followed Christ for many years and have become well versed in the Bible often tend to read well-known portions of scripture rapidly and without a lot of engagement. The parable of “The Vine and the Branches” is all about engagement. Jesus says that if we will stay connected to Him, He will stay connected to us. Being connected requires a relationship, which means we will be engaging with Christ and His words.
How Great is the Love
How often do we take the time to ponder the enormity that is the love of God? If you are like me, this is not something you consider regularly. Yet everything we believe, everything for which we live, hinges on the unsurpassing, indescribable, immeasurable love of God. Without love there is no Jesus. Without Jesus, there is no sacrifice for sins. And without His sacrifice, there is no hope for humanity. All creation, all thought, all meaning, derives from the love of God. His love is so big, so utterly amazing, that we can scarcely comprehend its magnitude.
A Life Well Spent
What is most important to you? Is it Jesus or something less than that? Our lives will be spent in the pursuit of something. Some will pursue security, some comfort, and others fame. Anything we pursue other than Jesus will leave us hollow when we reach the end of our days. When you lie on your deathbed, what will you look back on and wish that you would have accomplished? While perhaps a bit morbid, this can be a very healthy exercise in which to engage. For what will you have needed to live in order to die with no regrets?