a relationship with God not based on legalities
Growing up, I always thought if I didn’t spend time with God every single day, I was a sinner and was no longer accepted. I thought that if I don’t read my Bible every single day, the relationship I had with the Lord was gone … just like that.
However, I’ve learned that’s really not the case. The Lord doesn’t run on a “you must do this in order to experience Me” method. Yet, I’ve created this almost-impossible “rule” for myself: if I skip a day, God skips over me. This hard-pressed rule turns the relationship I have into a performance-based, legalistic relationship … which really isn’t all that freeing of a relationship. The self-created pressure of this rule is suffocating and ultimately, not helpful or encouraging. It doesn’t promote or encourage seeking Him more because it’s based on what I’ve done to make the relationship happen or to maintain it.
The truth is, God is the one who is doing the “doing.” He’s the one who predestined me and foreknew me (Romans 8). He was the one who chose me and wanted a relationship long before I even existed, and when I did, long before I even knew He existed.
When I realized there’s freedom in relationship (because, let’s be honest, the relationship we have with people isn’t lost or gone forever when there’s space in communication or seeing each other, right? How much more for God?), it actually spurs me on to continue seeking Him and reading His Word and hearing His voice and following His leading by the Holy Spirit. When I realized that my earthly relationships remain (albeit time goes by and/or I don’t talk to everyone everyday), I then also realized that the Lord isn’t going anywhere. If I’m still friends with someone after I haven’t seen them in months or talked to them in weeks, how much more does the Lord want to keep the relationship He has with me?
Please understand, I’m not saying to go days and weeks without talking to the Lord—that’s where the difference lies with Him. In order to keep a strong relationship with God, I know I should be spending time with Him every day because ultimately, that’s the relationship that matters the most. The more I spend time with God, the more I want to spend more time with Him, and therein the cycle continues.
But what about when we fail to do that? What do we do then?
I’ve learned that all it takes is to pick up again where I left off—although, that includes repentance of stopping in the first place. But, the relationship is not completely severed because of my lack of effort. God still bids me come and by my free will in listening to the Holy Spirit, I will either reap the rewards or suffer the consequences.
It’s freeing to know that I’m not bound by a rule I created for myself, because God doesn’t even impose that rule Himself, neither does He impose Himself on me. But really, if I’m attentive, I have seen that God and I have a walking relationship throughout the day. Those inner, unspoken prayers are heard. That praise is lifted. The things going on in my soul are known. He is aware of my thoughts and He is aware when I fight. His Spirit and Yeshua (or Jesus) intercede on my behalf (Romans 8). In all of this, I am in constant communication with the Lord—whether I consciously realize that or not. However, I’ve also learned to become consciously aware of it and it’s really quite a beautiful relationship to have.
Nothing is better than knowing that you are always seen, loved, and heard by the King of kings and Lord of lords. So, friends, the next time you feel like you’ve gone too far or you’ve strayed too much or you haven’t done your part enough, please let His presence still your soul. He sees. He cares. He loves. And, He’s never walking away. Grab onto that. Hope in that. And, know that He is God and you are forever His child, whom He loves and adores and is willing to keep you regardless of the season you’re in.
“Be still, and know that I am God. I am exalted among the nations. I am exalted in the earth.” || Psalm 46:11, TLV
“Abide in Me, and I will abide in you. The branch cannot itself produce fruit, unless it abides on the vine. Likewise, you cannot produce fruit unless you abide in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for apart from Me, you can do nothing.” || John 14:4-5, TLV
Truly Loved + Wholly Surrendered 
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