Relationship With Who?

A little while ago I was talking with a co-worker about his spiritual life and his experience with Christ. He said he was disheartened by the actions of other so-called Christians. That he had lost the fire he once had and was questioning his relationship with God. I talked with him for quite some time, sharing my own experience with similar thoughts and feelings and tried to offer what little support I could. After this conversation, I began to think of all the others who might be going through similar times. Not only those on the street, but the ones who might be right here at home. I have tried to offer solutions to several different trouble spots, but I have neglected one key component; fire. Something to bring back in me and us the drive, the zeal, the overwhelming lust to bring others to Jesus.

I could dig up a million different areas that need improvement in our lives; I might even be able to give some assistance in fixing the problems, but if we do not have the motivation to do so, what is the point? Perhaps we have wandered away from the true flame, the One who sets us ablaze with His power and glory. So much so that while the love and obedience may still be there, that close intimate relationship with the Life-Giver is waning in its intensity.

One of the things I wrestle with quite often is how to have a closer relationship with God. I know that the only way to receive fullness in life is an intimate relationship with Him, but it seems hard sometimes. I can pray, read the Bible, study my lesson, attend church. All the obvious things Christians do to walk closer with God. Still, there are times I don’t feel connected. I know God is there and that He cares for me, but it seems like a long distance relationship.

It seems that we overlook a lot of the things that make God special to us. We get caught up in the cliches of Christianity. Have you heard the saying “Can’t see the forest for the trees.” Meaning we can’t see the big picture for the details. I think we have just the opposite problem. We see the big picture, that is easy, but we overlook the details. We tell ourselves and others that Jesus saves us and has an everlasting home waiting for us. Now don’t get me wrong, these are fundamental to our belief as Christians. But what about right now? While the answers may or may not be simple to us, they are definitely not clear to the unbeliever, to whom we are trying to reach. For Jesus said He did not come to save the righteous, but the lost. What about all those who have not had the blessings we have enjoyed? And what about those among us whose faith is being put to the test, whose steps are faltering? What do we tell them, or us, Jesus can do immediately.

While the reward of heaven is beyond our comprehension, I can’t sit back and wait. My faith is weak and it is today I am suffering. Today I have lost my way. It is now my world seems to be crumbling around me. It is now I need. Although we are not to be of this world, we must be in it. Thus, we must share in the same trials and tribulations as our brothers and sisters. What do we tell others about the work and the blessings of Jesus? What do we tell ourselves?

For a job descriptions of Jesus and the work He is waiting to perform in our lives, turn to Is. 61. This and the surrounding chapters, I believe, to be one of the most beautiful areas of the Bible. It was written during a time when hope was fading, the enemies of God were closing in, and the people had lost the fire in their bellies. After numerous rebukes, warnings, and prophecies of destruction, we come to the light at the end of the tunnel. Passages that hold so much power, blessings and hope for all who claim them and the Messiah of which they speak.

This is an age of information. We as westerners are obsessed with information. From books, the internet, to the scores of tv news programs. One of the primary pieces of info we want, especially when meeting someone new, is to know what they do. This is not what do they like to do, as in hobbies, but what do they do as a career or occupation. From this we, for the most part, conceive a notion as to their character. For instance, you meet someone who is the 22nd inspector at the underwear factory. Not a whole lot there to work with. However, if you continue finding out about this person and he or she proves to have similar interests and provides pleasant company, we are pleasantly surprised. Our review of this person probably goes something like, “Yeah I met Joe, he is a really interesting person, and he’s an underwear inspector. As if underwear inspectors are of some sub-category of human life. On the other hand, someone introduces themself as a pediatric nuero-psychiatrist and we are instantly intrigued. But would be totally shocked to find them to be of low moral character and not that interesting to talk to.