Two minute read.
Are people interested in how relating to God might make a difference in their lives today?
It’s not a new thought. In fact, it’s the oldest of man’s thoughts. How would you answer a friend who asked, how did you connect with God?
In the Age of Information (wow that seems out of date) more info/advice leads to change (we think).
When I was 16 years old, I went to an event on Lake Norman just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. This was set up for teenagers. At that time I brought a girlfriend. There was a huge fire in the center of our gathering place. Across the fire, I saw another girl. I asked my best friend, “Who is that girl directly across from us.” Stan said, “Oh, that’s Lynda Bryan.” So I asked Stan to walk over with me and introduce me to Lynda Bryan.
Meeting Lynda led me to what others might call rational reasonable logic.
Or, better yet, all great Love Affairs have a beginning, right?
Why all of this? Because a Love Affair with others as well as with God creates three questions which help us on the The Long and Winding Road of life.
- IS THIS LOVE AFFAIR FOR NOW OR LATER ?
The Church has often majored on what our destination is going to be.
The writer Mark Scandrette said this:
“There seems to be little evidence in the Gospels to suggest that Jesus’ message was about another world, the afterlife.”
“The time has come, the Kingdom of God is near…..” Mark 1:15
For young Mark, the good news was a present reality, one that begins and never ends.
2. IS THIS LOVE AFFAIR AN EVENT OR A JOURNEY ?
Lynda and I work through FOCUS with couples. It is our choice of wedding preparation materials. Important stuff because weddings are one day, while marriages are hopefully for a lifetime.
Jesus ascribed the Way of Life as a metaphorical road we travel down, a series of choices in the same direction daily. Think about it as stopping at a red light and at that place STOP and listen to the Holy Spirit who may have something that you have been longing to hear.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14
There is a gate to enter – A decision, but it’s the road that leads us into life.
Freedom comes to us as we Participate, selecting the road to travel.
To leave where you are and go God knows where, requires something of us.
- Trust – Believe that God is Available
- Daily Discipline – Know God’s Heart toward me
- Commitment – Pursue a Relationship with Jesus!
3. IS THIS LOVE AFFAIR CASUAL OR CATALYTIC ?
“Jesus replied, love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…..” Matthew 22:37-38
Is a Love Affair with God about passing a theological litmus test? Jesus says – No! It is about a Love Affair. To love the Lord your God, is about you and me – Coming Alive.
How does a child love? With Reckless abandon!
Blessings,
MC
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