It is not paying tithes or praying before bed.
It is not doing my Bible study for the day or attending church.
It is not volunteering because "I am supposed to."
It is not "paying dues" or "checking something off the list" so that I can move on with "my" life or day.
It is not giving this or that to cover myself and say I did my part.
Yes, some of those things are important aspects along the way and to help build and strengthen us, but really...
It is about living life in all that you do "through" Him.
Letting Him take the reigns.
Seeking Him first.
Depending on Him.
Continuing in Him.
It does not mean that you are perfect, without flaw or that you can't make mistakes.
It means you'll tell God:
"I know that I can't do this thing called life on my own. I know that I need your help. I want to have a successful life and to do your will but I don't know how. Lead me, guide me, take control, show me and be patient with me, give me an ear to hear and to be attentive to your voice and to what you are speaking to me at any given moment. Cause me to know you deeply and intimately - to be one with you. Be the center of my life. Here's my heart, it's yours. Here's my will, it's yours. I'm going to keep on moving and living, and whole doing so, moment by moment, I'm going to open myself to hear you and to sense where you are leading me. I trust that your will is what's best for me and that all things will work our for me. I trust that your heart is only good towards me and that you would never seek harm for my life, but that you love me unconditionally and want things to go well for me. I'm open to you. When I don't understand I will seek you and wait patiently for your direction and for what I feel and sense you are showing me to do. I will act on what you show me to do (regardless of how I feel)."A relationship with God may include all of the above, but it's centered in what a wise man said in Proverbs 3:5-6...
It's not "doing" things perfectly, but rather, trusting in Him with all of your heart (above what you see & hear daily before you) and not leaning to your own understanding (consulting yourself, going with what you think or by the wisdom of the world & it's ways alone). It's acknowledging Him in all of your ways (seeking His direction in all that you do before and while doing it; clinging to Him); so that He can direct you (guide you in the way that will work for your good).
It's something that cannot be checked off. It is lived intently, from deep inside of your heart.
I enjoyed the insight and reminder.
ReplyDeleteSo glad that you did! God's love reminders are always great!
ReplyDeleteI SO needed this at this exact moment in my life. Your blog has blessed me more than you could ever know!
ReplyDeleteSo glad that it did! Come back for more! ;-)
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