Power Walk With my Forever Friend
Ex 15:13 "In your
unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling."
NIV Rob Chaffart
Answers2Prayer Ministries,
www.Answers2Prayer.org
Today, January 2nd, 2004, I went to the doctor for my yearly
physical. My appointment was at 10:00. My wife had her
physical at 11:00 and we agreed I would wait for her to
arrive to the doctor's office, so I could take our kids
home. Well, my physical was over in 15 minutes (I feel like
I went to Penzoil for a personal oil change!). I was on the
verge of calling my wife when God's voice prompted me to go
for a power walk with Him instead. How could I resist such
an invitation? So off I went, down the pier with my best
friend. What a great time I had! I never regret my walks
with God! They are so powerful!
As I was walking on the pier, I was reminded of an episode
in my life when I was 16 years old. I felt myself transposed
in my home country of Belgium. The weather at this time
period of this year is identical as the one in Belgium,
foggy, wet and grey. 30 years ago, around the same time
period, I was walking up and down the streets of Oostende
for hours on end. Why? I hoped to see a glimpse of a girl I
liked that I had met at church. She was visiting her
grandparents and was from the Netherlands. Whenever I had
the opportunity to catch a glimpse of her, my day was made.
I was quite shy at that time, and I couldn't even imagine
myself talking to a girl! Can you imagine walking hours and
hours only to catch a brief glimpse someone?
But why was I reminded of this episode of my life? My
Heavenly Father revealed to me then a powerful illustration:
"This is how I am in pursuit with the people of this planet.
I am looking for someone to have fellowship with me. I will
not relent in my pursuit."
Wow! He then revealed to me the following. Many people treat
their relationship with their spouse, in the following ways:
1. There are the ones who only look out for themselves. Once
married, their spouses usually are left feeling neglected.
These people don't really know their spouse. They are too
preoccupied with themselves!
The same is true with Christians who are too preoccupied for
themselves. 2 Tim 3:4 "Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers
of God!" NIV They see God as a Santa who has to give to them
everything they want. They have no relationship with God.
They see God merely as a dog who has to obey them, and they
often complain that God does not care for them.
2. There are those who work themselves to death to provide
the most comfortable environment for their families. Their
spouses usually don't know them at all because they are
never home. They are too busy working for the good for the
family. When they finally notice that something may be wrong
with their relationship with their spouses, they resort in
lavishing them in an abundance of presents, but still their
spouses feel very very lonely.
These are the Christians who work and work to please the
Lord! They are never satisfied because they always fall
short of the glory of God. They believe their works will
make them inherit the promised land. However when asked if
they are saved, they respond "I sure hope so!" In reality,
they are unsure of the outcome of their salvation. They
don't have a personal relationship with the Father. Eph
2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through
faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- 9
not by works, so that no one can boast." NIV
3. Then there are those who take the time to have a personal
relationship with their spouses. They will go out for a
dinner, be there when their spouses are in trouble and
always are available when their spouses need a listening
ear. Their spouses are the ones who feels fulfilled. They
feel they are important in their mates' eyes.
Those are the Christians who are at the center of God's
will. They are where God is. They join God where God is at
work. They have a personal relationship with their Heavenly
Father, just like Jesus did: John 5:19-20 "I tell you the
truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only
what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father
does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and
shows him all he does." NIV
I asked myself in which category I belonged, and I was made
aware that time spend in the ministry is important, but not
as important as time spend with God. A ministry can become
like the ones belonging to category 2. A healthy balance is
needed.
"But how can I accomplish that?" I asked.
"Nothing you do on your own will accomplish this." was His
answer.
Then out of nowhere, I felt wind caress my cheeks and
realized that I needed to depend solely on God's Spirit to
have that healthy balance.
While I was praising God for this revelation, I was made to
notice several boats covered with blue tarps. The tarps
would protect them from the upcoming harshness of winter. So
God, as long as I let Him be my shelter, will protect me
from the harshness of this world. In His shelter a proper
balance will be obtained. Ps 31:20 "In the shelter of
your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in
your dwelling you keep them safe." NIV
I made my choice and decided not to let time rule over me
any longer. I decided to give glory to God in all things 1
Cor 10:31 "So then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever
you may do, do all for the honor and glory of God." AMP
and depend on Him for direction. I decided not to be so
busy, so that I couldn't notice where God was at work, but
to join my Heavenly Father wherever He is at work. My
priority has become to have a personal relationship with the
One who is pursuing me.
You have a choice to make as well my friend. Which choice
will you make? Maybe it's time for a power walk with your
Forever Friend. You won't regret it. I sure didn't!
In His love,