Last night I went to a bible study that is related to Young Life called Campaigners. I was excited to go because I knew it was a release from the stress of this week and a time to fellowship and hear what God wanted to say to me. One of my friends taught the lesson, and it was basically about how we can be passionate towards God because he lives in us, and that is what he has called us to do,
He brought up a great question: What does worshipping for God look like? People said many things, including serving others, loving people, being genuinely happy, singing to him, and praying. After we had discussed that, he told us how Jesus had an intense love for us, so intense, that he was willing to die on a cross for us.
Hebrews 12:2 "....Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne."
Jesus was ELATED to suffer an unspeakable amount of pain and suffering if that's what it meant to get us to come follow him. I believe that during the time of his crucifixtion, one of the things that got him through it was thinking about each and every one of us. That's what brought him joy. He had a passion for his children, and although he expected it in return, he gave us a choice and promised to love us regardless of what path we choose.
The points that my friend hit on passion and affection really hit home. Lately, I have sort have been on a neutral level in my relationship with God, and I hate it. It feels like I focus too much on the negative things going on in my life, whether it is fickle friends, controversies involving those who are supposed to be my role models, and still never having been in a relationship with someone. But, when I think about it in my alone time with God, those things are so insignificant. He loved me, still does love me for reasons I really cannot explain. He created me even though he didn't need me, but he knew that I would need him. He has given me everything he knows that I need right now, is teaching me, and protecting me from things so I can be strong enough to handle the future. I want to have a passion and affection for him that he's had for me. I want people to be able to see him in my heart and want that for themselves.
When I think about all that God has done for me, I realize that I have given so little. Yes, I know I will never even get close to giving everything back to God that I owe him, and I know that there will be tough mountains to climb, but I feel like lately I haven't been trying very hard to please him. It's like I've heard him crying out to me but have tried to block it out of my hearing. I don't want to be like that. It makes me angry and confused. I have nothing more that I should be doing in life than worshipping him in all that I do, whether that is through singing at church, washing the dishes, or driving my little brother to piano.
He has given me everything I could ever need and all I have to do is trust him with my life. There is no reason for me to hide my affections from him or anyone else. I am the only one who can forget about the joy he has given me, but I don't want that. Loving like Jesus loved, worshipping God, helping others, reading my bible, that will bring true joy. When you are on a spiritual high with Jesus, living for him, and listening to what he has to say to you, everything else just falls right into place.
James 4:10 "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up."
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