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And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)
When the Russian Cosmonauts went into space in the 1950s they reported there was no sign of a creator God and no evidence of creation.
It seems ironic that the very sky these men saw as proof of God’s ‘non-existence’ is the same sky that reminds me of the awesomeness of his creation! New advances in technology have given new evidence of a vast, uncharted universe. Planet earth is a tiny speck in the grand scheme of the universe and mankind an even smaller speck.
Still, there are people who echo the words of the cosmonauts. They don’t, of course, make their prognostications from a spaceship. They do it from a classroom, an easy chair in front of the TV, and on the street corner. They wonder about God’s presence in the hospital room, the disaster relief office and the courtroom.
When times are good our search for God isn’t usually a priority. But when the journey of life becomes full of potholes and boulders it’s different. During those times when we realize we can’t fix what we are facing, we look for someone who can.
Many have sought God, and frankly, have found him to be non-existent. Prayers have gone ‘unanswered’. The cancer has come back. The lost child has been found murdered. The divorce has become final. The accident victim dies. In all of this, the question screams out: “So, where is God now?”
I don’t mean to minimize the pain and agony life brings our way, nor do I intend to categorize all of our emotions into a one-size-fits-all approach. But in the midst of our crisis of faith we need to honestly ask ourselves a question.
Do we diligently seek God as he is or do we seek the God we want? Some view God as a Santa Clause type individual. The God they want sees them being good and brings toys to good girls and boys. Of course, this philosophy never allows for the naughty list. Santa loves everyone.
Others seek a vending machine God. This God is a little more pleasant to the senses. If you are good, he will reward. Save up your good acts. Be a moral person. Go to church. Follow the Ten Commandments. Help old ladies across the street. Be involved in your community. End result: Blessings of God.
A diligent seeking after the God who is requires our faith in a God that may not always be understood, but is always love. His actions are beyond comprehension, but his forgiveness is without requirement. He’s not about what you do, or have done. He’s about what Jesus has done and can do in your life. He’s not a tame God. He can’t be put in a box. But his thoughts, his actions, his desire is for you and you alone.
PRAYER: God, I’m having a hard time understanding how you work. So many times I’ve sought you without relief. I now realize I was looking for the God I want, not the God I need. Show yourself to me in a new and amazing way so that I can grow in a love relationship with you. Amen.
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15
Will you be my friend? The term ‘friend’ has taken on a lot of meanings over the years. Today you can be someone’s ‘friend’ on a social network and never meet them. In fact, you can have ‘friends’ all over the world and never leave your home!
A friend can also be called an acquaintance. Someone you say ‘hi’ to on the street but never socialize with and know them only by name.
True friends are hard to find and should be treasured like a fine diamond. They are true gems. A true friend knows your deepest thoughts and hurts because they listen to you. A true friend supports you openly even if they don’t agree with your actions. A true friend is someone you know you can call on anytime for anything and there will be no hesitation. A true friend will never take offense at your blunders or open anger. A true friend will even give their life for you if necessary.
Jesus told his disciples that they were his friends. Imagine that! Those of us that follow Jesus are his friends. We can talk with him about anything. We can be assured that there is nothing we can do to push him away. He will never be surprised or offended by our actions. Why? Because he’s our friend!
Adam was God’s friend and they walked together each night to talk about the day. Abraham was God’s friend and God told him what was going to happen in the future. So, why don’t we feel that close to Jesus if he is our friend?
One reason is that we don’t know who Jesus is. We haven’t spent enough time with him. Another reason is that our view of Jesus has been tainted by years of religious dogma, our past and our guilt for mistakes made. The best way to get to know Jesus is still by reading his letter to us, the Holy Bible. Read the gospels as a true story of Jesus’ life. See how he treated people. See how much he loved you.
Then talk with him. Don’t pray. Don’t try to use fancy jargon. I’ve found it helpful to visualize him in a chair next to me. Jesus loves you. He wants to be the kind of friend you can know and depend on. He says ‘I have called you my friend’ and made no conditions to it. He’s your friend. All you have to do is accept his friendship.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, I’m so unworthy to be called your friend because of the mistakes I’ve made. My view of you is so clouded by religious dogma I don’t really recognize you except by name. Help me to grow closer to you though your word, the Holy Bible and through prayer. Thank you for being a friend like no other. Amen.
And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Matthew 10:30
Think for a moment of the person you love more than anyone else in this world. Get a good picture in your mind. Take a few minutes to gaze (in your minds eye) on every one of their features. Focus on the reasons you fell in love.
One suggestion as your doing this. It might be a good idea NOT to do this when you are in the presence of this person. You may find yourself staring at them and freaking them out!
Now, how many hairs are there on your loved ones head? What? You don’t know? Are you thinking I’m the one that’s crazy? Well then, you must not love that person.
Now your probably angry with me. Of course you love them, you are thinking. Your maybe tempted to shout “You have no right telling me that I do or don’t love _______! And you’d be right.
But here’s my point. When you love someone, really, really love them you know everything you can about them. You know their likes and dislikes. You know that makes them scared and what gives them comfort. You even sacrifice your own comfort to make them comfortable.
Jesus tells us that God loves us so much that he knows has the hairs on my head numbered! Imagine that for a moment. It doesn’t just say he knows how many there are. He can point at a hair on my head and say, “Hair number 2,368 is looking a bit frayed today!”.
Now, if God is that familiar with me; if he loves me that much. What do I have to worry about? I like the way Max Lucado says it in his book “A Gentle Thunder”.
“If God had a refrigerator, my picture would be on it. If he had a wallet, my photo would be in it. He sends me flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. When I want to talk, he’ll listen. He could have chosen any place in the universe, but he chose my heart.”
I know I make mistakes. Some days I make more than others. I know I’ll hurt people along the way unintentionally because I tend to be a social klutz at times. There are times when even my closest friends don’t understand my feelings, my fears and the things that make me happy. There are times I don’t even understand me! But my Father does. He even has the hairs on my head numbered.
PRAYER: Father God, I thank you for your love. There are things coming my way I don’t understand. Some of them scare me to no end. I thank you that in the turmoil that surrounds me you see me. I don’t get lost in the shuffle. You aren’t distracted from my problems because you are needed elsewhere. Thank you that I’m your number one priority today. Help me to be constantly aware of your presence, love and protection. In Jesus name, Amen.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 