Tuesday, March 17, 2009

I Want God!

So, why do you pray?  What motivates you to get up before the sun rises or stay up long after the family is off to bed?  Is it a comfortable life, free from distractions and worries?  Or is it simply to spend time with the One who loves you more than you know?

For much of my Christian experience, I would approach God when I needed something; my kids were sick, I was experiencing a family crisis, the car needed fixed, or I lapsed back into the same old pattern of sin.  God was kind of like a lucky charm, a fuzzy rabbits foot; when things got tough or beyond my control, I would wear out my jeans.  Perhaps this is a better picture of my prayer life; putting a quarter into a vending machine and out comes my desired answer.  I never once thought about how God viewed the whole exchange.  I knew how I felt when people befriended me for what I can bring them.  

When I was new to pastoral ministry a good friend taught me a valuable lesson.  For a whole year our relationship was based on contact and conversation revolving around my need.  If I needed help with a computer problem, I would call my friend.  If I needed some help around the house or a tool, I would call my friend.  On a particular day, I must have called him 20 times.  I was getting very frustrated.  Late into the evening I finally got ahold of him.  After telling him why I had been calling him, he very firmly told me, "Don't call me anymore if you want something from me.  Don't be my friend because of what I can do for you, be my friend simply because you like me and like being with me."  Honestly, I was hurt for a few days.  But, he was right!

I hardly think that God feels this way, then again, maybe he does.  What will it take for us to finally understand that God wants us to love Him not for what He can do for us but for who He is; and He isn't our spiritual sugar daddy.

I think true prayer begins when we approach God simply because He's God and has demonstrated His love for us rather than to get something from Him.  God told Abraham, after making incredible promises to him that he would be the father of many nations, that God himself would be His very great reward.  That's what Abraham put His faith in - a relationship.

I want God!  I don't want Him for the things He can give me, (although His mercy are new every morning)I want Him simply for who He is.  That's when we truly begin to pray - when we come to God because He's God and not for the things He can give us or for the jams He can bail us out of.

Enjoy lingering in His presence - in fact, I dare you to linger without words, it's Biblical, "Be still and know that I am God..."

4 comments:

  1. I really liked this Michael. You're right, so much of the time we only run to God when we need help or when we're struggling, etc. If more Christians would understand this prayer - just to talk or just to listen - the world could change. I don't know how many times I've been asked when was the last time I just sat down to talk to God, and not ask him for anything or confess anything, just talk. It's like a relationship on Earth. Without communication the relationship either suffers or ends.

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  2. Wow. I'm challenged and unnerved as well. I've been treating God like my "Spiritual Sugar Daddy." I really just need to talk with him more often and not just be asking. Thanks for the kick in the butt.

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  3. Thank you for the wake up call. This message hit me and I immediately felt heard that small voice inside me saying, "Why don't you talk to me more?" Thanks for the wake up call.

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  4. Mike,
    I had forgotten this... A much needed reminder.
    Call, I'll answer this time, I promise.

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