Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- June 24, 2010
Ignoring God…“The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention.” 2 Chronicles 33:10
No one likes to be ignored, especially God. When we ignore someone we communicate disrespect. Can you imagine the President of your country visiting your home? As he enters your foyer you escort him into the sitting room. There you have a long talk and really begin to get to know one another. Amazingly, he gives you permission for unlimited visits to his office or home over your lifetime.
Yet, after our initial start with Christ some of us have ignored His invitation to “get to know you and you get to know me” (Revelation 3:20). We have ignored God. Maybe your reasons are noble. You have been busy providing for your family, pursing your career or helping people. But where is God in the process? Love does not ignore.
If I love you, I want time with you. I listen to you and pray for you. I return your calls, write you encouraging e-mails and check on you. Indeed, being ignored melts like butter under the hot light of love. Love and disregard cannot coexist. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will feed my sheep” (John 21:15). Love pays attention: it engages, teaches and shepherds.
Also—as you pay attention to God—you become passionate about His interests. People become precious, not a distraction. The international community becomes your congregation; you see their diverse cultures as sheep without a shepherd. Your heart bleeds for them, because the heart of God bleeds over their need for Him and His truth.
Take a spiritual audit of your Christianity. Better yet engage with an “outside auditor” to give you an objective opinion of your compliance to God’s standards for you. Will they discover you blasé, just running with the crowd or will they find you hard after God? Does your calendar and checkbook reflect what the Lord cannot ignore: injustice, poverty, abandoned children, the lost, the broken hearted, all who are ensnared by sin?
Enthusiastically connect with our Creator, pursue a friendship with Jesus. Take the time to be still, listen to the Lord and do His will. Intimacy does not ignore the agenda of Almighty God—it embraces eternity and ignores the diversions of this world.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Do I inadvertently ignore with my busy schedule or do I pursue intimacy with Christ?
