July 30th

JULY 30th

I’m a goal-oriented type of person. I like lists to check off and plans laid out ahead of time. Oh I can also be very spontaneous and enjoy meandering, but I do really like to plan and check off to-do lists. This probably serves me well when homeschooling my kids, but, our relationship with the Lord is not like that. We don’t have a checklist to complete or milestones to reach. There is no point (here on earth) at which we can say, “we arrived!” and can rest on our laurels so to speak. So for me, I have to guard against the tendency to want to check a box. I have to keep my mind focused on the relationship rather than “protocols” or lists. This might be one of the reasons the Lord gave me such a love for worship and music, -to keep me tethered to the relationship. I have to say though that the Lord is pretty good about preventing me from thinking I have “arrived” by pointing out the next thing He is working on in my stubborn, self-centered heart. I am grateful to the Holy Spirit for His ever-present voice of hard truth to keep me grounded in Him.

I say all of this to remind us that this journey with Jesus is about the relationship, not the stops along the way, not the preflight checklist, or the passport stamps or anything else official. In fact, for the most part He is the only one with the itinerary. Oh sure, we know a few of the big details, like the final destination and the fact that there WILL be some turbulence, but day to day and moment by moment our focus should be on Him not the journey.

Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:28-29 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”

I was reminded of that while driving home from Salem today. I was singing a song to Him and before I knew it I was home. I was paying attention to traffic and driving safely but mentally I was in the middle of marveling at God, not tracking whether I was making good time or not. The silly drivers (I’m being nice) that were cutting me off or changing lanes without signaling etc, didn’t bother me because I was allowing myself to be mesmerized by God’s amazingness (don’t know if that is really a word but I like it.)

The Lord is saying to us today, “If you will just keep your eyes on me and my heart for you, before you know it, we’ll be HOME!”

John 14:2-3 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Come Lord Jesus! And in the meantime, help me fix my eyes on you not the journey. Consume my heart with your holy love and make me who you created me to be today.