I'll be completely honest - my sister's dogs are annoying the mess out of me right now. They've been following me around all day like I have some amazing treat hidden in my back pocket that I'm just waiting to give them. I DON'T. But for some reason they don't get that. They don't get that I'm not sitting here just waiting to bless them when they come to me. And quite frankly, it annoys me that it's the only reason that they are following me around. Not to snuggle, which they usually do. No, today they want something. And I'm almost so annoyed I'll give them something to leave me alone.
So all of this ran through my head when I realized that I sometimes approach God like that: I don't come to Him just to snuggle and spend time, I come to Him to get something. Thoughts of what I need are the only thing I can think and I just praise Him because I know He'll give it to me if I really ask Him for it. But how unfair is that? To sit there and pester Him? Not in an interceding way, that's not what I'm talking about. There are definitely times to storm the gates of Heaven and intercede for things that need to happen. No, I'm talking about when I really really want a different job and can do nothing but whine about it. When I want God to just fix my life but don't want to make the changes necessary. Those are the times when I need to stop, realize that I just love Him, and give Him my affection. Not to manipulate Him, but because He is good and is worthy of my affection.
Other times, however, I don't ask. I come under condemnation and think that I've just messed up one too many times and God won't forgive me. A few days ago one of the dogs chewed up one of my Toms. And then got his butt beat with said Tom. I haven't thrown the shoe away because I'm still so angry that I want to remind the dog of what he did. But that's not what God does! When I truly repent of my actions He is faithful and just to forgive. But the thing is, I tend not to follow that example. Which is just what the man in Matthew 18:23-25 did. Jesus forgives us of much, now we need to forgive others in return. OK so back to my original point. Kenai isn't still scared of my anger. He comes to me expecting blessing even though he chewed up an expensive shoe. Why? Well #1 I don't think he really remembers what he did unless he sees the shoe #2 even when he sees the shoe, he seems to know that he is more important to me than a shoe. And so he comes expectant, trusting that I have forgiven the small indiscretion. I long to do that. I desire to know and trust God so much that I know I can boldly approach His throne when I have stepped out of my disobedience.
So what's the point? Don't beg. Or walk under my feet. I'll trip over you & be annoyed. But when you know that you're walking in obedience, don't be afraid to approach the throne of God. Not God, the candy-hander-outer, but God, who loves you dearly.
Mostly? Just love Him. Because He is good. And He is SO worthy of your adoration.
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