Courage For Today

relationship with christ

It’s Always About the Encounter

Encouragement

One of my grandsons’ favorite activities is swimming.  I don’t think it would matter if they were swimming in a pool; in a lake; in a stream; or even splashing in a puddle of water.  If they can get wet, they will do it.  When they come visit us at our pool, it’s all out fun and excitement.  They can’t wait to slip on their swim trunks and head off to the pool.

I don’t know about you, but when I actually do get into the water during one of those rare times, it’s slow and easy into the water for me.  It’s just too cold usually.  First, it’s my feet and ankles.  Then up to my knees, and slowly inching my way up until I can go under the water.  I’m not one of those people that immediately jumps in the water.  My grandsons, on the other hand, are jumpers.  As soon as they hit the pool deck, it’s off they go.  Straight into the water.  No shock for them.  They don’t wait for to see if the water is warm enough.  They don’t wait for us to give them detailed swimming instructions.  They don’t wait to see who might be looking at them or observing what they do.  They don’t wait to see if they have all their swimming gear in tact.  They just jump.  And they jump some more.  For them, it’s not about getting all the answers and insight about swimming.  It’s about enjoying the water.

It reminds me so much of a conversation I had with an acquaintance many, many years ago.  This person was struggling with Christianity in general and the Bible, specifically.  He spoke about how the Bible was confusing to him and that he had too many questions that couldn’t be answered.  He cited several examples and I could tell that he really, really wanted to be a believer in Christ, but just couldn’t make himself take that leap of faith until he found all the answers to his questions.  To his surprise, I agreed with him that Christianity and the Bible had many unanswered questions, even in my own mind.  There were many things I didn’t fully understand and wouldn’t ever know the answers to until I reached Heaven one day.  He seemed a little perplexed and confused that I would embrace God, as I do, with so many confusing issues swirling in my head.

I spent the next several minutes explaining that my relationship with Christ was not about answers.  it was about an encounter.  It was about an encounter with an almighty God that changes live.  I explained how God had truly worked in my life and changed me.  How God had worked miracles in my own life and my family’s.  And, I shared how my relationship with Christ was personal and intimate.  I may not understand all HE does and why HE does things, but there was no question that I had the encounter and relationship that forever changed my life.

I went on and shared that I didn’t wait around to see if Christianity was the next “big” thing or popular with others.  I didn’t wait around to see what others were doing with “their” Christianity.  I didn’t’ wait around to get the next greatest Bible translation so I could understand things better.  I just jumped in the water.  I didn’t care about all those other things.  I just wanted Christ and what he brought to my life and I haven’t had one regret.

I’m not quite sure why the Lord brought this particular message to me on this particular day, but I’ve got to believe it’s because someone reading this passage is struggling with this same issue.  If you are, don’t wait for all the answers, because you’ll never find them.  Instead, embrace the encounter and the new relationship that awaits you when you accept Christ.  I promise that you won’t regret your decision.

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Getting Rid of Dust In The Attic

Self-Worth

I was remembering a couple of weekends ago about how little I enjoy putting items back up in my attic for storage.  I had taken down our artificial Christmas Tree and all the little ornaments and nick-knacks that we place around the house at Christmas, and neatly packaged them back in their storage boxes; only so that I would take everything back upstairs in our attic until next Christmas.  I don’t really know why I dislike storing things in the attic so much.

Maybe it’s because I have to lug everything up those ridiculously small steps.  Perhaps it’s the cramped quarters or dark spaces?  Maybe it’s all the dust?  I’m not really sure, but I am sure I don’t like it.  Nonetheless, I managed to put all the Christmas storage boxes in their proper place until the excitement of next year’s Christmas begs me to take them down from the attic once again.

It reminded me somewhat of particular times in my Christian Life when I’ve treated God the same way as I’ve treated the items I stored in my attic.  There were times that I really didn’t have much use for God.  I was too busy.  I knew what I was doing and really didn’t need Him anyway.  Or, perhaps I was just “tired” of this ole “religion thing” and just didn’t really have a need for God at that time in my life, or at least that’s what I thought.  I still believed in God and knew that there was a God, but I just neatly tucked him in “the attic of my mind.”  After all, if something ever did come up, I could always ask God to come down out of the attic and tend to my situation.  Plus, I knew there were people out there who really needed God more than me.  I figured I would let God tend to those folks and then HE wouldn’t have to waste His energy on me.  I have to admit, though, I was miserable.  During those Spiritually “dry” times in my life, I just simply packaged God into a nice little box; stored him in the attic of my mind; and retrieved Him out of storage only in dire emergencies.  I certainly wanted God to be available when I needed Him but, otherwise, I really wanted Him out-of-sight; out-of mind.

I’m really ashamed to admit that my relationship with the Lord was that shallow, at times in my life.  However, over time, I realized that my relationship with God had to be–just that–a relationship.  My relationship with Christ could not be based on my convenience or when I chose to “use” God.  My relationship with Christ had to be personal and intimate.  I discovered that God wanted to be with me every step of the way.  HE didn’t want to call upon Him only at certain times.  Thankfully, HE has always been there when I did need to lean on HIM, but it has been a much more satisfying relationship (for me) when the communication and fellowship with HIM is constant.

Where is your relationship with Christ?  Is HE tucked away in the “attic of your mind” only to be called upon on certain occasions, or is HE close and personal all the time.  I encourage you to make HIM an everyday; every moment part of your life.

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The Importance of Living Inside Out

Self-Worth

I was visiting one of my favorite fast-food restaurants the other day for lunch and I couldn’t help but notice the person in line in front of me.  I’m not sure if this person knew what they had done, or if they were trying to make some type of fashion statement, but he had his shirt on inside-out.  In thinking about it a little more, I really think he knew he had put his shirt on backwards.  He was a younger, teen-aged person, hanging out with some of his other friends so I imagine that he was dressing this way intentionally.

There were certainly no secrets at that point.  You could see the seams in his shirt.  You could see all the lose threads that normally wouldn’t show.  You could see the tag on the collar.  In fact, if you stood behind him, you immediately new what size shirt he wore and what material the shirt was made from.

The interesting thing was that he didn’t appear ashamed of how he was dressed.  He didn’t seemed concerned that others might be staring at him.  He didn’t seem the least bit worried that others might think he was dressed “weird.”  For whatever reason, he decided that this was how he was going to dress this particular day and the rest didn’t matter.  He was certainly sincere in his beliefs about how he wanted to dress.

The encounter with this young person reminded me of a time in my Christian Life.  It was a time I’m not particularly proud of, but a time when I was more concerned that others thought I was a Christian, rather than actually living the true life of a Christian.  I looked the part.  I said all the right things.  I prayed all the right prayers.  I did all the things you would expect in order to give others the impression I was a Christian.  Don’t get me wrong, I had accepted Christ as a teenager, but at this time in my life I was just going through the motions.  I didn’t have an intimate relationship with Christ.  I was more concerned with the “outer” perception of being a Christian.  After a while, I became tired of “playing the Christian role” and realized there was something missing in my life.  I finally realized that I was not looking at God as a relationship from my heart, from the “inside out.”

I began to study more; to pray more; to reach out more.  Before too long, I felt closer to God than I had ever felt.  For the first time in a long time, I felt my relationship with the Lord from the “inside out” and not from the “outside.”  It was personal now.  It wasn’t just for show. I didn’t care who knew it.  In fact, I wanted everyone to know it.  I wanted others to have this relationship that I now had.

I don’t know if you’ve ever felt this way in your Christian Life?  Or, maybe, you’re feeling this way right now?

Let me challenge you to begin looking at your personal relationship with Christ from the “inside out.”  Begin looking at your own heart. Begin looking at what an awesome God we serve, and how little we really are.  Begin looking at the majesty and greatness of our Savior and you’ll soon realize (like me) that we are nothing without HIM.  We can accomplish nothing without his strength and guidance.

You’ll soon see that your testimony will be a glowing example to others.  You’ll see that others will want what you have.  Others will see the “realness” and sincerity of your life because it comes from the “inside out.”

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