How To Experience Life Change Through Love
Are you pursuing God's invitation to draw near and experience life change? If not, why? I know there will be times we feel closer to Him than others. Our relationship with Him will go through seasons. My question is: do you have a hunger to seek Him? When a person loses their hunger for food – is that healthy? I would consider that person to not be well. I believe the same is true for a believer that doesn't have a hunger for their God.God has really shown me that I need to protect my hunger for Him. I am a person that is affected in a negative way by the Internet and television. If I spend too much time doing either, I notice I lack a desire to be with Him. If I eat too much, it can have the same effect. Notice a trend? When I fill up with the world. I lose my hunger for my Father. If this begins to happen, I fast the world and I pursue Him. It doesn't take long and my hunger for him returns. I have found that I crave what I feed on.We are the ones who determine how intimate we are with God. Not Him. "Don't you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God"… "the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely." (James 4:4-5) We choose who or what we pursue. He is a jealous God that loves us with everlasting love. His desire is that we would actively love and seek Him, but He leaves it up to us. He didn't create robots. He adopted sons and daughters. How do you know someone loves you unless you give them the option not to.
Your life will change when God's love for you becomes personal.
We must decide whether we want Him. Our actions will reflect the condition of our hearts. He has given us the invitation. In fact, it is the reason why Jesus had to die. When we speak of Jesus, we often focus on the act of God forgiving us. But we sometimes miss the purpose and the result of Jesus's obedience. A perfect sacrifice had to be made, cleansing us of a guilty conscience, so that nothing could separate us from seeking Him. (Hebrews 10) It was His plan all along, "God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 1:5)Still not convinced that He wants to be with you? "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." (James 4:8). "Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith." (Hebrews 10:22) Do you feel His cry to be with you? I guarantee you. There is no one in your life that has had to orchestrate and accomplish more, for the sole purpose of wanting to be close to you. Why then, do we so often turn our backs to this most beautiful invitation?
Related Post: God’s Love Story Through My Eyes
This is nothing new. It started with Adam not choosing Him in the garden. Then He delivered the Israelites out of Egypt and brought them to Mount Sinai. He told them to consecrate their hearts (get the world out) and in three days He would call them up to meet Him. They chose to hold onto the world therefore they wouldn't draw near. (Exodus 19) God is making that same call to us. (Hebrews 12:18-28) Our ability to be in His presence is meant to distinguish us from the world. (Exodus 33:16)
How long will we be satisfied with second best?
When a great price has been paid, for us to have the greatest prize of all – Him. God loves you. Your life will change when His love for you becomes personal. When they are no longer words on a page or what someone has told you. When you know deep in your heart that He loves you and what He has done so that you can be close to Him. You will no longer turn your back. You will pursue Him and accept His invitation!