Jesus is not a bandaid; He's a healer.
He's not a panic button; He's the problem solver.
He's not a slogan on a bumper sticker; His Word is a lamp unto our feet (Psalm 119:105).
He's not a distant force in the universe; He's a person who knitted you together in your mother's womb (Psalm 139:13).
He’s not limited to a season, a holiday, or a Sunday morning; He is a 24/7/365 relationship.
John 15:5 says it well. "I am the Vine, you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from me (cut off from vital union with Me), you can do nothing."
I remember when I treated Jesus like nothing more than a bandaid, a panic button, and a bumper sticker, and I recall how my life was when I viewed Him as nothing more than a distant force in the universe who could only be reached on "special" days. I was lost on the the route of my own choices, no matter how often I sat in church. I was a withering branch "cut off" from the Vine.
It's not that He didn't bless many places in the roads I chose for myself. It's not that He didn't use them for His good (Romans 8:28). But I was always missing something. I was always slightly off-course from His destiny for me, and I often found myself hiding away from the gifts He is now using to bear much fruit in my life.
Not just on Thanksgiving, but every single day of my life, I am most grateful for my intimate, personal relationship with Him. His love is unconditional at all times, I can talk with Him about everything, and He has all the answers. Nothing more amazing than that.
I'm so thankful that He moved me past "church pew" mentality and I pray that if you are still stuck there, He will also free you and walk you into an incredible closeness with Him that will transform your heart and life forever.
No comments:
Post a Comment