Everlasting Blessings

What comes to mind when you read these words?

• Protection

• Security

• Intimacy   

Those three words typically bring a sense of comfort, like taking a deep breath and fully exhaling. Some people think of a relationship with God in these terms. Being under His authority is like being under the wing of his protection; kept close to His chest. Others see a relationship with God very differently. 

What about these words? What affect do they have on you?

• Restriction

• Control

• Smothering

These words also imply a certain closeness, but in a negative sense. Many people consider religion this way... oppressive, limiting, and obligatory. Some even believe God and His rules seek to stifle all of life’s enjoyment. 

So, which group of words describes your relationship with God? How do you view His authority over your life? Is it characterized by relationship or rules?

Recently, I overheard a young student complain to a friend, “I wish I could just do what I want when I want.” I made eye contact with this child and walked boldly through this open door of opportunity to throw a few questions her way. “Well”, I proposed, “what if we all just acted that way? What if everyone did whatever they wanted whenever they wanted without following any kind of rules? What do you think life would be like?” 

Her facial expression said it all, but after a brief pause she chose to add some 1st grade logic: “That would be crazy!”

Yes, dear child, that would be crazy. However, it is becoming more and more a part of our reality in the 21st century. Humanity is driven by a selfish “me first” mentality and we see it played out in daily life. No one wants to stop when the traffic light turns red or wait longer than five nanoseconds in the checkout line. We believe we are too important to wait our turn. Our time is more valuable than anyone else’s. Rules should apply to others. No one should tell us what to do! 

Maybe this is why so many people resist God. They see Him as a limiter, a strict rule-giver who only wants to oppress us. They view Him as waiting for us to make even the smallest of mistakes so He can hand out harsh punishments. 

But, as Pastor Dan reminded us in his message, that isn’t God’s way. Our Lord wants us to be in relationship with Him more than anything. So much so that He sent His only son to earth as a man to die for our sins so that we could be in relationship with Him. God always desires to BLESS us. 

Maybe that sentence needs repeating….God always desires to BLESS us. 

His blessing is not based on our behavior, but based on His unconditional love for us. A relationship with God brings blessing.

This reminds me of the father of the prodigal son from Luke 15.  We read how the younger son took his share of the family inheritance, left town, and basically did whatever he wanted whenever he wanted for some time. He trusted in himself and his money. When the Lord brought him to his senses, he went back to his father assuming punishment would be severe. Instead, the father greeted him with open arms and abounding love. No questions asked. The father wanted to bless this son, not curse him. He desired a renewed relationship more than an explanation.

I’m also reminded of the Luke 10 story of Martha and Mary. When Jesus visited them at their house, these two sisters had quite opposite responses. Martha busied herself worrying about all the rules of hospitality, while Mary was the one who simply “sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to His teaching.”(v.39) Mary was in the presence of Jesus. Mary received the blessing of being in relationship with her Savior.

I have to admit I am a lot like Martha. Maybe you are too? The tasks and details and distractions of life tend to consume each moment and I easily forget that my Father just wants me to draw close…to sit at His feet. He longs to protect me, to hold me close, to speak softly into my ear because He knows me like no one else does. And He wants all of that for you too. God always desires to bless us, and His blessings are everlasting.

~ Tara Dye is a longtime member of LIFE Fellowship. She and her husband Paul have three children.