We had an excellent guest pastor at church this morning. He was funny, down to earth, and left me with a lot to think about. He asked three questions. So, here are the questions and some points he made:
- What is sin?
Broken relationships--between God and man--between man and man.
God came because he wants to be with us--to mend our broken relationships.
God can mend relationships, but trust is earned.
- What is the nature of God?
God's nature is loving-kindness--"For my own name's sake I delay my wrath; for the sake of my praise I hold it back from you, so as not to cut you off." Isaiah 48:9
He wants to restore, not get even.
We think of God as one who punishes, but sin creates its own punishment--broken relationships cause more broken relationships.
Godlessness is being without God. Ignoring him?
Coveting is desiring things of the world instead of desiring things of God.
- Where are you? (First question in the Bible)
God called for Adam, "Where are you?"---Adam answered, "I heard you in the garden. I was afraid. I was naked so I hid."
God wanted a relationship.
Two things jumped out for me during the message. Of course, the first was about broken relationships. In the case of my husband, I still wonder what a mended relationship looks like, and what it means. I also wonder how he could ever earn my trust again--or can he? This whole area needs to move beyond my continual wondering. Wondering is not very constructive. Instead, I should be asking God what his plan is in healing the broken relationship--what my role is. Trust, that is another issue--one that certainly needs prayer, too.
This brought me to the next question. The one God asked Adam, "Where are you?" In answering that, I I also asked myself the question, "What do I covet?" The answer plays a big part in my relationship with Jesus.
I really didn't think I coveted things. I have no desire to have what others have: a new car, fancy clothes, new furniture, new house, or latest electronic gadget. BUT! But what about desiring to read my book, spend time on the computer, do a puzzle of some sort, mow the yard, etc before spending time with God?
Yep, I think the pastor/speaker was right on. These are all forms of coveting. When I do these things, I am saying that my desires for my things are stronger and more important than my desire for Him at that moment. He has just become an item on my list of things to do. Many time He keeps being moved to the bottom of the list.
I can picture Jesus saying, "Jan, where are you? I want to hear about your day. Did you see the deer in your yard this morning? Wasn't that an awesome sunrise? I want to give you an idea for your blog. And there is a letter I want you to write and a phone call to make. We need to talk about your relationship with your husband. I want to share the plans I have for you. Maybe we can sing. Then I just want to sit with you, hold your hand, and enjoy the silence. Where are you, my love?"
Then I see myself saying, "Don't worry, Jesus, I haven't forgotten you. I'm just too busy right now. As soon as I finish reading the last chapter of my book, read this e-mail, check out face book...as soon as I get the mail...as soon as I grab a bite to eat..."
Before I know it the day is over, I'm tired, and I go to bed. "Catch you tomorrow, Jesus, when I'm not so busy."
How healthy is a relationship like that?
No matter what I am doing, I really do want to be aware of God walking in the garden and desiring me to join him. I want to drop everything to spend time with him--to listen, to share, and to be quiet together. I also want to be aware when I need Him so I can stop wondering and start seeking. But first, I I will have to be aware of those "things" I covet.
"Things", in and of themselves, are not necessarily bad, but when they begin interfering with Jesus' and my relationship, I need to put them aside. When I can finally put "things" on my to-do-list instead of Jesus, then, and only then, have they become merely parts of my life and not what I covet.
I hear you, Lord, and I'm waiting,
Jan
This brought me to the next question. The one God asked Adam, "Where are you?" In answering that, I I also asked myself the question, "What do I covet?" The answer plays a big part in my relationship with Jesus.
I really didn't think I coveted things. I have no desire to have what others have: a new car, fancy clothes, new furniture, new house, or latest electronic gadget. BUT! But what about desiring to read my book, spend time on the computer, do a puzzle of some sort, mow the yard, etc before spending time with God?
Yep, I think the pastor/speaker was right on. These are all forms of coveting. When I do these things, I am saying that my desires for my things are stronger and more important than my desire for Him at that moment. He has just become an item on my list of things to do. Many time He keeps being moved to the bottom of the list.
I can picture Jesus saying, "Jan, where are you? I want to hear about your day. Did you see the deer in your yard this morning? Wasn't that an awesome sunrise? I want to give you an idea for your blog. And there is a letter I want you to write and a phone call to make. We need to talk about your relationship with your husband. I want to share the plans I have for you. Maybe we can sing. Then I just want to sit with you, hold your hand, and enjoy the silence. Where are you, my love?"
Then I see myself saying, "Don't worry, Jesus, I haven't forgotten you. I'm just too busy right now. As soon as I finish reading the last chapter of my book, read this e-mail, check out face book...as soon as I get the mail...as soon as I grab a bite to eat..."
Before I know it the day is over, I'm tired, and I go to bed. "Catch you tomorrow, Jesus, when I'm not so busy."
How healthy is a relationship like that?
No matter what I am doing, I really do want to be aware of God walking in the garden and desiring me to join him. I want to drop everything to spend time with him--to listen, to share, and to be quiet together. I also want to be aware when I need Him so I can stop wondering and start seeking. But first, I I will have to be aware of those "things" I covet.
"Things", in and of themselves, are not necessarily bad, but when they begin interfering with Jesus' and my relationship, I need to put them aside. When I can finally put "things" on my to-do-list instead of Jesus, then, and only then, have they become merely parts of my life and not what I covet.
I hear you, Lord, and I'm waiting,
Jan
No comments:
Post a Comment