ARE YOU GOD'S COMPANION?

Let’s face it; we can’t get along without each other. Community is necessary for us to thrive in our Christian lives. We need each other! More so, we need God. He wants us to be His friend. In fact, He calls us His friend. Check it out in John 15.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES             by Sally Bair

A two-way experience

Have you ever watched a mama animal with her baby? She stays as close as possible for the sake of safety, warmth, food and training. The parents also spend time playing with their young. We humans do the same.

My husband wrestled with the grandsons. Valuable lessons came from those fun times together. They learned social skills, became physically stronger and bonded with their grandpa. The fact that he took time to listen and play with them brought great respect and love on their part. They sought him out to ask questions, share their thoughts and problems and be near enough to touch him.

God our Father wants us to spend time with Him, too. Ever since He created Adam and Eve, He has desired companionship with His created people. He takes joy in meeting with us. Being a loving Father, He doesn’t strong-arm us into spending time with Him. We can choose to seek Him out through His Word and prayer. Why wouldn’t we? To experience His presence, His comfort and His guidance is to bring blessing upon blessing on our lives. For one thing, when we ask, He will renew our physical, mental and emotional energy. “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.” (Isaiah 40:31)

God never fails to meet us when we seek Him. The trouble is, we often allow distractions to get in our way of spending time with Him. Anything worth learning requires discipline. And discipline must work together with love. God loves us so much He took our sins upon Himself and died that we might live right lives with Him, as Adam and Eve did originally. When we love Him in return by spending time each day with Him, it brings great joy to Him—just as it does with the parent of any child.

The challenge is to make time for Him, which may take some planning. Paul uses the analogy of a marathon runner training for a race. “And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.” (1 Corinthians 9:25) The word temperate refers to strict training, the power of self-control. Ouch! We don’t like to hear that word, do we? But like marathon runners who train to win, we too can win the prize of eternal life with God—now and forever—as we face life’s challenges.

Lord, thank You for being available at all times, in all circumstances. Through Your powerful Spirit, give us the self-control to plan for and use daily time to spend with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.