Christian Living

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Living with God

In this face paced world that we live in, how do we reach out to God? As a Christian, we think of worship, prayer and Bible reading. As we consider worship, many of us thrive in the traditions of worship. The same songs. The same order of services. But there is an inherent danger in traditions. The repetitiveness involved can lull our minds into not really focusing on Christ. True worship involves experience God, sensing Him, feeling forgiveness, and being involved. We can see and hear God through fellowship with other Christians, singing praises and hearing the Word taught. The repetition of “2 songs, a prayer, 1 song, communion, sermon, invitation song and closing” can either help with us feeling God but it can also let us hurt us in we lose sight of who we are doing it for. We can forget worship is for God and to God to praise him for the gift of grace and forgiveness. True worship leads us to want to share our joy with others by be involved and showing God’s love. A real relationship goes deeper than worshiping God.
How do you cultivate relationships friends? Communicating is usually the first thing we think of. Prayer is our way of talking to Him. And the Bible is His way of talking to us. Go beyond that and find ways to share with Him. Think about your talents or interests. Is it singing or performing music, do it for/to God. If it is creating art, create something for Him. Do you have a passion for writing? Write for God, to God.
Another important thing is to find you private time with God. Moses met God on the mountain top. Just Moses and God. Jesus retreated frequently for time with His Father. Mother Theresa, Saint Patrick and Saint Francis of Assisi, as well as many other ’famous believers’ talked about finding their private time with God. The key is being open with God.
Openness with God brings a grounding in our belief - our faith. It opens us to be willing to lay down our need for control and turning it over to God.
God wants a close relationship because He loves us. Being close to God helps us have among other things - the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, and self-control. John 15:5 “…if a man remains in me and I in Him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.” Remains - that word means an abiding - a continual fellowship with. As a friend (He calls us friend in verse 14), He gives us many gifts - grace, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, joy - the list goes on forever.
As a friend, those gifts give us the strength for life. He grows in us. Darryl Scott, in Rachel’s Tears, speaks of a parable of the seed and sod. Farmers plant in the dirt. They sometimes make it even ‘dirtier’ with manure. The seed produces fruit. Darryl Scott explained that we are the sod or dirt - not clean or perfect. Christ is the seed that produces fruit. It is not that we become perfect but Christ growing in us to perfection.
Rachel Scott had a relationship with God. She knew He should have control of her life. She wrote in one of her journals the following:
“Break me of my pride, Oh God,
Tear down my strings of sins,
This life of filth and worthlessness,
Unto You I willingly give.
Take it from me, all of it
Do with it what You will.
Take me and mold me God.
Your foundation, begin to build.

My life has brought me only shame
Through it Your Will be done
What once was sorrow and endless blame
Is now the start of things to come.
My story now a testimony,
A thing nothing short of God,
I keep His name forever Holy,
For my life, with His Blood, is bought.”

Rachel Scott was one of the victims of the Columbine shooting on April 20, 1999. From her journals, one can learn many lessons. Her parents have published a couple of books with excerpts from her journals. Rachel’s relationship with God was so strong, she had a since of her role in God’s plan. Her example has been a testimony that has brought many to believe. Just as her poem above suggests. Yet she never knew the full extent of that.
Like in the story of the seed and the sod, Christ, many times, uses the concept of plants, trees and fruit. With the seed of Christ in us (the soil), the tree grows and produces fruit. To produce fruit the tree must be strong and grounded. A tree needs a good root system to be strong. Our root system needs to be fed to become and remain strong. God wants to provide that strength through His Word and teachings.
Be a friend to Jesus and God. Praise Him. Talk to Him. Stop and enjoy God’s creations and creatures - He created them for us. Spend time with Him. And share Him with others.

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