“Yet I have this against you: 'You have forsaken your first love,'” (Revelation 2:4 NIV).
“One day on our way out of church, she turned to me and said, 'Sometimes I feel like the third verse of a hymn.'” Immediately I knew what she meant. In our church, we sometimes skip the third verse of a hymn if the service is running late. 'I feel like the third verse of a hymn' was Mom's way of saying she felt left out. My mother's unique ability at description was intersecting with her common problem of feeling lonely.”1
It seems God felt the same way: overlooked, forgotten, left out – and this was by the church. How did this happen?
The Ephesians weren't slackers. The preceding verses of Chapter Two contain praise from God for their activities. Hard workers who had no tolerance for wicked men, they stood firm in the face of pressures and hardships. This church did many things right and therein laid the problem. The Ephesians lost sight of the Lord of the work and focused on the work of the Lord.
Their failure isn't unique. It's easy to be so busy for God that time to spend with Him somehow evaporates. Ask a pastor (maybe not your own) how much quality time with God does his/her schedule permit. Don't be surprised at the enormous demands they face daily – and that's just church business - not life in general. Cell phones, e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, texts and other social media increases their exposure to those in need of instant help. Down time for any reason, like time spent with God, is difficult to carve out.
How many Christians, if they were honest, would admit their time with God's not what it should be (whatever that means)? Maybe more than you'd think. To prove their allegiance and commitment to the cause, schedules are packed with things to do for God – activity instead of intimacy. God found this unacceptable with the Ephesians and He hasn't changed.
We need to make a shift. Focused time spent with God produces greater results than lives cluttered with good, necessary works. Mike Bickle from IHOP, Kansas City believes lovers will always outwork workers. A deeper relationship diminishes the pressure to perform for God, others and ourselves. Attention directed toward His priorities frees up time and resources to accomplish tasks sans burnout.
God needs the permanent top spot of our “to-do” list. Forsake good things to obtain the best. At first this may feel awkward and uncomfortable; the urgent is loathe to relinquish its tyrannical hold. Any who purpose to know God, not just know about Him, never suffer disappointment. They discover the object of their affection. God's pleased too because He really enjoys their company.
How about you? What changes can you make to allow more quality time with God? How will this improve your relationship with Him? What kinds of questions will you ask Him during your extra time with Him? How do you think this will impact your life?
The opening quote is from David Fessenden's book, From Concept to Contract. Plan to write a book? This is a must read. A writer and editor, David gives practical insights into things to do before you start to write your book and continues thoughout the process to publication.
1David Fessenden, From Concept to Contract (Galax, VA: Sonfire Media, 2011) pg 14
Mary: I understand what was meant about feeling like the third verse of a hymn. A lot of us have times like that. We can attribute that feeling to people's busy lives or to our own state of not being up to par. This winter has taken a toll on me. I got out twice today and discovered it was a good day with the sun shining bright.
ReplyDeleteBlessings on you and yours.