Friday, July 23, 2010

Being with HIM...IN LOVE!


[This is an article I wrote awhile back, but never ended up publishing. I thought I'd go ahead and share it here as I hope it will be an encouragement to many!]


“According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame, before Him in Love.” Eph 1:4


If not already IN LOVE, most of us dream about LOVE! That’s just the way God made us…He made us to be fulfilled by giving and receiving love! But thankfully, He didn’t just stop with that…He also showed us how.


First off, let’s take a quick peek at my newly-wed friends, Todd and Lisa.

~

After the fairy-tale wedding and blissful honeymoon were over, Todd and Lisa began to settle into what they know would be the life of their dreams. They already had a beautiful home of their own, complete with a white picket fence in a friendly neighborhood, and they both had secure jobs in great working environments. They had the support and blessing of family and friends, all the resources needed to help build a great marriage, and a mountain of new gifts and gadgets to meet their every need. But most important of all, they had each other…and they were committed to meeting each other’s needs, for they were in LOVE!


Fast forward five years:


Todd and Lisa still live in the same cute house with the white picket fence, but life has become very routine. They now have two toddlers, and it seems that expenses are multiplying now that Lisa is no longer working. They still have the support and blessing of family and friends. They still have the same great resources for building a “healthy marriage” and they are still using some of their wedding gifts. But, for some reason something is different…


Lisa is exhausted a lot of the time from trying to keep up with the kids, and resents the fact that she and Todd hardly ever get time to really talk like they use to. Todd on the other hand feels that the kids are the only thing Lisa really worries about now and so he has become more and more consumed with his work. In fact, he often doesn’t come home until quite late. By the time he does get home, Lisa is too tired to say more then a “hi” and barely gives him a quick peck on the cheek as she falls exhausted into bed. And so, day by day their routine life goes…and they drift father and father apart. “What’s wrong?” they each wonder… “Are we falling out of Love?”

~

Now to those of us looking on, it’s pretty obvious what at least one part of their problem is! They may be professing Christians with a great foundation, and they may have been given all the tools they need to keep their marriage “healthy, zesty, and alive!” But…if they don’t consistently make time BEING THERE for each other, guarding their relational intimacy, and making each other’s needs their top priority, sooner or later, their relationship will drift apart. It’s just a given. It’s just the way life happens…


[Of course, deeper than just "Being there for each other" though - what about their experience "Being there" with Christ? If that is lost in the day to day and the mundane, they for sure wont be able to give what they need to each other. For they must be filled with a overflowing and supernatural strength that comes only from Christ. But I have digressed....back to point here!]


So how can you expect to stay in LOVE with someone you barely talk to or listen to? How can you expect to stay in LOVE with someone that you don’t spend time “being with” anymore? How can you expect someone to stay in LOVE with you when all you have to offer at the beginning or end of the day is a quick kiss and a brief “hi honey”


From the outside looking in, we all know…no relationship will survive (let alone thrive) on these terms! It just doesn’t work!!! Yet, interestingly enough, time and time again…when it comes to the spiritual realm, and to our relationship with God, isn’t this EXACTLY what so many of us try to do?


At first, of course, when we give our lives to the Lord, everything is wonderful…and we are in LOVE! We’ve just pledged upon the altar of our hearts to surrender our life to Him forever. We’ve pledge to serve Him and to love Him until the end of time…and what a great feeling we have. Our sins have been forgiven, and our burdens have been taken away. Our life is not our own anymore, it is His. We do not have to walk this path alone. What peace and joy and happiness this new relationship brings.


O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the [woman] that trusteth in Him.” Ps 34:3-5


“The path of the just is as a shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Prov 4:18


Truly this is what God designed each and every day of our lives with Him to be! It’s a glorious experience…a beautiful journey and love relationship that should only get better with each passing day. But, as with all LOVE relationships…it takes commitment, consistency and most importantly, a continual “dying to self!” In fact, as I’ve been realizing more and more…keeping this deep intimate walk with God is not just a peaceful ride down the stream (as many Christian teachers might lead us to believe). It is outright WAR – war against the powers of darkness, and war to protect the throne that belongs only to our God.


Finally, my [sisters], be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Eph 6: 10-12


As one Christian author translates for our modern times:


“An intensity such as never before is taking possession of the world. In amusement, in moneymaking, in the contest for power, in the very struggle for existence, there is a terrible force that engrosses body and mind and soul. In the midst of this maddening rush, God is speaking. He bids us come apart and commune with Him. “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Ps 46:10)


Although living the life of a young single, I have to admit I spent far too much of my early years and walk with Christ living just like Todd and Lisa in my walk with God. It wasn’t that I didn’t love God, but I just got distracted and busy - often busy doing very good things. And over time, I would find myself drifting farther from God, til it was becoming a "form" rather than a relationship. While professing to live for God, I discovered, I didn’t really KNOW HIM as I should! Thankfully, once I realized my condition, time and time again, God rescued me and drew me back to Himself.


Thankfully…no matter our past or present failures, we have great hope for the future, for we are promised:


“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved!” Rom 10:13

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9


However, as I’ve been learning over the years, there’s more to being a true Christian than just calling upon the Lord, and confessing and forsaking our sins: We have to learn to Be with the Lord…continually!


It’s what Eric and Leslie always talk about when they say “abiding with Him.” And this truly is the KEY! However, just recently my brother pointed out a verse that I’d never really noticed before. It’s Mark 3:14-15 and it goes like this:


“And He ordained [or chose] twelve, that they should be with Him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils.”


At first I didn’t catch the significance…then he compared this verse with Matt 7:21-23.


“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my father which is in Heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”


As I noticed here, both groups are seeking to DO the same work. For all practical appearances, the fruits of their life seem to be the same. (“By their fruits you shall know them!” right??) But as we see, it’s so much deeper than that. Jesus says, “You can’t just call upon me, but you have to do the will of my father…and you can’t just do it (for these professed “to do” just that), but you have to first BE in a knowing relationship with ME! For if you don’t KNOW me…all your doing will count for nothing!”


So, just as Jesus didn’t just ordain or choose twelve disciples to go do good works and save the world. He chose and ordained these men (as He’s also chosen you and me) to first BE in a relationship with Him! Of course, if we have that relationship with Him…it’s only natural that those good works follow. But they will follow in His strength and power and for His glory, not for our own.


His first call upon our life is sooooo simple that most of the Christian world has tripped right over it. It’s simply to BE WITH HIM!


“Be still and know that I am God.” Ps 46:10


Why is this sooooooo difficult today???


I think the following quote gives us part of the answer:


“Many, even in their seasons of devotion, fail of receiving the blessing of real communion with God. They are in too great haste. With hurried steps they press through the circle of Christ’s loving presence, pausing perhaps a moment within the sacred precincts, but not waiting for counsel. They have no time to remain with the divine Teacher. With their burdens they return to their work. These workers can never attain the highest success until they learn the secret of strength. They must give themselves time to think, to pray, to wait upon God for a renewal of physical, mental, and spiritual power. They need the uplifting influence of His Spirit. Receiving this, they will be quickened by fresh life. The wearied frame and tired brain will be refreshed, the burdened heart will be lightened. Not a pause for a moment in His presence, but personal contact with Christ, to sit down in companionship with Him—this is our [greatest] need. “


God is calling each of us (single and married) to a beautiful fulfilling love relationship with Him! Better than any human groom could or ever will provide. He’s calling us to a relationship that’s so strong it will carry us through the storms of life, a relationship of such deep sacred trust that it will never be broken, a relationship filled with intimacy so sweet that it will endure throughout all eternity!


“As the apple tree among the trees of the wood,

So is my Beloved among the sons.

I sat down under His shadow with great delight,

And His fruit was sweet to my taste.

He brought me to the banqueting house,

And His banner over me was love.” Song of Sol 2:3


He longs for this relationship…and He’s created us as human BE-ings, for this relationship. So let’s relish this verse one more time, with the proper emphasis:


“According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame, BE-fore Him [with Him]… IN LOVE!” Eph 1:4


Ahhhhhh….I just love dreaming about this LOVE!


Practical Tips for getting your Spiritual Love-life in line :


1. Write out a list of all the time consuming things you do in your life that aren’t essential to life. (For example, sleeping and eating are essential for life, but other things, like the following, while important, don’t keep you physically alive: working, spending time with family, watching television, talking on the phone, devotional time with God, e-mail, chat, spending time surfing the Internet, time in deeper Bible study, witnessing/outreach, shopping, cleaning house, scrap booking, facebooking etc etc).


Now, number each item in order of spiritual priority…For example, #1 for things of extreme eternal priority, and #10 for those of least eternal/spiritual priority. Now…place these items in level of spiritual importance on your schedule. You may find that you have to cut some things out of your life when you do this (maybe even learn to do more without) but you will discover in not too long, that those things (distracters) really weren’t that important after all. For as you make Christ the center of your life and everything you do, you will find a fulfillment and joy in life like you’ve never had before!


“I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved…God is my strength and my power, and He maketh my way perfect!” Ps 16:8 & II Sam 22:33


2. Make time for “routine dates” out with God. Yes, you heard me right! Just like you need extra routine quality time doing special things with your spouse or best friend to keep the relationship thriving…you also need this time with God. Time above and beyond your daily devotions…time out to really learn about each other, to take time to journal answers to prayer, to make collections of your favorite “love letters” or promises from His Word, time to memorize scripture, or just look up at the sky and think of all the things you love about Him. Maybe this will be a routine day, like His Sabbath, or just a special evening here or there that you carve out, free from distractions, for just the two of you. Whatever the case, you will find this “time out” to be such a refreshing experience…and after you’ve done it a few times, I promise you will BE even more…In LOVE!


“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.” Jer 31:3


3. When we’re in LOVE…we can hardly stop talking about the object of our affection to anyone within listening range. But what about our LOVE with God? Seek to cultivate the habit of sharing the blessings of God with others. As you speak of His goodness and love, your own faith and love will be strengthened and invigorated…and you may also bolster the faith of those around you. This isn’t preaching…this is sharing from the abundance of your heart, what God is to you!


“Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. Mark 5:19


“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.” Matt 10:32


4. Last off: Stop putting your expectations for happiness and fulfillment in Human Love for you will always be disappointed! Instead, continually seek to put your heart and needs completely in God. Test Him! Try Him! He will be faithful, for He is the only LOVE that truly satisfies!


“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.” Ps 16:11

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Amen! Especially number 4. Praise God for your article and thank you.

Anonymous said...

I agree