Faith Words: Sweet Treats
When my oldest son was a toddler, his uncle was in college. Tim wanted John to play with him and be comfortable around him, to trust him. But our son was a little shy and not too sure about this young man he only saw once in a while. So Uncle Tim would fill his pocket with M&M's and offer them to John. Little by little, the sweet treats broke down the barriers and their bond was formed. It wasn't long before John was following Tim everywhere and trying to walk and be just like him. Over the years, they would go places together and spend time together. Now John and Tim are not just relatives but friends.
That's what God wants with us, I think. When we begin to notice God, we're a little uncertain of how to relate to Him. We know He's "family" but we tend to keep Him at a distance. God reaches out to us and once we begin to realize the sweet treats He has for us, we let down our guard a little and move closer to Him.
The Wednesday night DVD series we're doing this summer [Soul Keeping by John Ortberg] has me thinking more and more about this familial relationship, as does another book - The Pursuit of God by AW Tozer. God isn't satisfied just to have us follow Him around because He gives us sweet treats. He wants us to learn to trust Him, to love Him and certainly not to be afraid of Him.
As we begin to trust Him, He'll become more familiar to us and we'll begin to relax with Him. We'll start trying to walk like Him and be like Him. And little by little, over the years, we'll begin to think like Him and become more than just relatives.
Imagine being friends with the LORD. I wonder if that's how it was between Enoch and the LORD? Between Abraham and the LORD? Between Moses and the LORD? Between Jesus and the LORD? Could it be that way between me and the LORD?
Look for God's sweet treats. They're everywhere. But don't be satisfied with only those. Look for Him. Reach out to Him. Don't keep your distance. He's reaching out to you.
Sweet blessings!
Patrice
Job 11:13, 15 (NIV)
Yet if you devote your heart to Him and stretch out your hands to Him,...
then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear.
That's what God wants with us, I think. When we begin to notice God, we're a little uncertain of how to relate to Him. We know He's "family" but we tend to keep Him at a distance. God reaches out to us and once we begin to realize the sweet treats He has for us, we let down our guard a little and move closer to Him.
The Wednesday night DVD series we're doing this summer [Soul Keeping by John Ortberg] has me thinking more and more about this familial relationship, as does another book - The Pursuit of God by AW Tozer. God isn't satisfied just to have us follow Him around because He gives us sweet treats. He wants us to learn to trust Him, to love Him and certainly not to be afraid of Him.
As we begin to trust Him, He'll become more familiar to us and we'll begin to relax with Him. We'll start trying to walk like Him and be like Him. And little by little, over the years, we'll begin to think like Him and become more than just relatives.
Imagine being friends with the LORD. I wonder if that's how it was between Enoch and the LORD? Between Abraham and the LORD? Between Moses and the LORD? Between Jesus and the LORD? Could it be that way between me and the LORD?
Look for God's sweet treats. They're everywhere. But don't be satisfied with only those. Look for Him. Reach out to Him. Don't keep your distance. He's reaching out to you.
Sweet blessings!
Patrice
Job 11:13, 15 (NIV)
Yet if you devote your heart to Him and stretch out your hands to Him,...
then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear.
Comments
yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
I will give thanks to you,
Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your
wonderful deeds.
Then if My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I WILL HEAR FROM HEAVEN and will forgive their sins and restore their land.