One week down, three to go. My wife has been in Haiti, helping with the relief work, for just over a week now, and I have been holding down the “fort” at home with the ministry, kids, home, and many other responsibilities. I find myself staying up a little later and often struggling to get up in the morning. It is not because I want to, but because I have trouble getting to sleep.
Cyndi and I have been married for 12 years, and though we have had some (few) difficult times, we have had a wonderful marriage. But one thing that has been important for us is communicating with each other. I am not always good at it, but I am getting better. After 12 years, one learns how to communicate to maintain a strong, healthy relationship.
This is probably the most important part about any relationship…the aspect of communicating. We need to be able to share our hearts with the other person. We need to feel comfortable with being vulnerable and sharing our concerns, fears, and our hopes and dreams.
Sometimes, sharing our fears and dreams can be very hard, because we don’t want someone to laugh or make fun of us. We think, “If I share this, they will consider me a chicken,” or “If I don’t share this then they can’t think of me as a failure if I don’t make it”. But if we share with them, then they can encourage us, and help lift us up if we don’t quite make it, or they can celebrate with us when we do make it to our dreams. It is always more fun to celebrate with those closest to you when you succeed.
The same is true of our relationship with God. We are often afraid to talk with God, because we are afraid that he is going to reject us or laugh at us. What we don’t realize or remember, is that God already knows what our dreams are. He knows what our hearts desires are. He knows us better than we know ourselves.
We look at God as some distant being, watching us from afar. That is not true. He is right there with us every step that we take. God knows our moves before we make them. God knows where we are headed. God knows the words you are going to say. He knows everything before you realize it. God knows you.
God knows all of that, and He still loves us. He still wants a close relationship with us. He wants us to grow in that relationship with Him. He wants us to trust Him to the point of sharing anything with Him. He wants us to be encouraged and lifted up when we don’t quite hit the goal. He wants us to be able to celebrate when we succeed.
God knows you. HE LOVES YOU. He wants to remain close to your heart. He wants you to constantly communicate with Him; through prayer, reading of His word, and even conversation.
As my wife is in Haiti, I find myself wanting to communicate with her more and more. I want to hear her voice, I even want to hear the sound of her breathing. I can’t wait until the evenings, when I see the little green check mark on the bottom right of my computer (Skype connected) and see her name highlighted (meaning she is connected).
God wants us to feel the same way about Him. He wants us to anticipate the time we share in communicating with Him. When was the last time you felt that way? When was the last time you looked forward to meeting with God?
Please know that I don’t know who reads this. I don’t know who is moved by what I write. But what I do know is that God is interested in talking with you. He knows you and wants you to know Him personally. He wants to encourage you and lift you up. He wants to share with you His love. Will you be vulnerable for a moment and listen to His voice?
“Here I am! I stand at the door (of your heart) and knock. If anyone hears my (God’s) voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20. God is waiting at your heart’s door to come in and share with you His love and His relationship. Will you consider it?
“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.” Psalms 95:7
God is there for you. He knows you, and He loves you anyway. Let Him be your encouragement.
Amos