The other morning after I woke I lay in bed a bit thinking about this and that, and of course as I pondered on things in my life I started to pray. I asked the Lord to help me with this situation, and to bless that situation. I required His intervention in my life, and while it’s fabulous that I recognized such, I spent the largest part of my prayer time petitioning Him on my behalf. But then suddenly I felt the magnitude of His presence, and like a ton of bricks I felt the weight of who He was. Yes, He was the one who directed and blessed my life, but He was so much more.
I felt the momentum of His sacrifice, and I remembered exactly what He meant to me. He had saved me from sin and death; He had died for me. I didn’t in all honesty deserve any of it at all, yet He had.
I felt, in that moment, regret over my approach. Jesus didn’t just need my requests thrown at His feet; He needed my praise. He needed my admiration, my love, my everything. He had already given me all He had yet I asked for more.
This situation got me to reflecting on how we approach the Lord, how we interact and commune with our Savior. And if we’re not dropping in a quarter and pulling a lever for our fortune, then we’re placing Him on a shelf for convenience.
It’s like, “got Jesus?”
“Yep. When it suits me.”
Sometimes Jesus is just for Sundays. Other times He’s there when we’re sad. We certainly cry out for healing in times of sickness, or ask for vengeance when we have been wronged. We place our Savior on a shelf where He looks nice for anyone who’s paying attention, and we take Him down when we need something real bad. He’s a trinket, a keepsake, something for show. He’s a trophy to show-off when needed for clout. He’s authority to wield as a weapon when we feel ridiculed or weak. He’s a convenience when required, but otherwise left to collect dust. But this should not be so.
Most Christians are quick to say they love the Lord, but my question is, do you? Do you really?
Do you love Jesus more than anything, more than your children? Even more than your own life?
Do you overflow with gratitude and joy at the thought of all He’s done for you, or do you take that sacrificial love for granted?
When you think about how much Jesus loves you and how spectacular He is, do you want to cry? I hope you do. I hope the weight of His majesty is so much that it takes your breath away, and leaves you in marvelous awe.
Mark 12:30
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
I want you to be so madly in love with Jesus that you can’t help but shout it out loud. But you know who wants that for you even more?
Jesus.
Jesus, precious Jesus. Your Savior, your friend. He’s doesn’t want to simply be there waiting when needed. He wants to be present with you at all times. He desires your prayers, but also your conversation. He desires to hear your pleas for help, but also your exclamations of joy. He longs to hear your dreams, your fears, your everything. He wants to be your everything; not your novelty item you pull out for company or special occasions.
He doesn’t want to ride on your dashboard; He wants to drive your life. He wants to consume you, be the lover of your soul. He died for you, and He desires you. He longs to be closer.
So how do you get there?
You work at it. Like any relationship you spend time together. You talk, you laugh, you even cry together. You give and take. You listen. You love.
We should be consumed by our love for Jesus. It should be so powerful that it drops you to your knees when you think about it, and if that hasn’t happened to you yet then get excited. That means there’s so much more of Jesus there for you to explore.
Ask Him to reveal himself to you. Ask Him to show His character in a new and tangible way. Seek His face and you will find it. Yearn for more and it will be given. But whatever you do, don’t let it be a lifeless, lackluster relationship of convenience. You see, you were made for so much more than just that.
Scottie Thompson says
Well said old friend
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you.
pat Kovar says
Brie, I shared your blog yesterday at worship, the one titled God loves you more….
I credited you as much as I could. The reading was very well received. Thank you again for sharing your journey, which at some point in time , is each person’s journey too. Thank you. Pat K
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much!
Dana Hopkins says
Another great blog, Brie!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you.
Cindy Johnson says
I needed this today, as well as your RN hangover blog. Thank you!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you!