I ain’t got nothin’ but love for ya
What requires a real relationship to work? Sacrifice. Time. Respect. Honesty. Loyalty. These are just a few of the attributes that make a relationship work and these are usually the top attributes listed when saying what is wanted from a relationship. Let’s pretend that I had a boyfriend who verbally said he loved me, but he cheated on me, lied to me and never made time for me. Most of you, if not all of you, reading would tell me to leave him, right? I would agree with that sentiment. If he’s not making time for you, respecting you or being loyal or faithful to you, why stay? Love doesn’t do that, right?
So, if I wouldn’t treat a man like that, why is it acceptable to treat God, my Sky Daddy, my Heavenly Father like that? This was a concept I had to start wrapping my head around when I became more serious about living a Christian life. I verbally said I loved God. I prayed at night and before I turned in an assignment or test for school. I prayed during times of trouble. I went to church sometimes, but preferred watching it online; however, sometimes catching it on a rebroadcast hours later. I only touched the Bible when I was in church. I only listened to Gospel/Christian music on Sundays, specifically in the morning before church. I was saying “Thank you God for the raise,” but I wasn’t returning my ten percent to Him like he asked. As I thought about my relationship with God throughout the years, did I love Him?!
If I were to compare it to a natural relationship, everyone would tell me no. Reading the Bible, listening to Gospel/Christian music and praying regularly is a way of spending time with God. What I was doing was synonymous to a guy that I’m talking to only texting and calling me just enough to where I would stay interested while he did what he wanted to do (from experience, that is not a great feeling). If I don’t like that feeling, what made me think that God likes that feeling? What made me think that praying extra to Him when I needed something was acceptable? Most humans either ignore or cut that person out of their lives for doing that. Thank God that He isn’t like us. Why did I continue to do things that I knew were unpleasant to God and yet, still say, “I love Jesus?” Because He would forgive me? That’s not right. Again, even if I would forgive my boyfriend for cheating on me and he knew that, would that give him a right to cheat on me? Even if it wasn’t a boyfriend, I wouldn’t be ok with anybody lying or misusing me repeatedly all because they knew I would forgive them. Eventually, I would let that person go. Once again, Thank God that He isn’t like me. Essentially, I realized that I can’t value human relationships more than I value my relationship with God. Exodus 20:3 (NLT) says, “You must not have any god but me.”
Now, I won’t sit here and act like I’m perfect because I’m not. There are some nights that I don’t even crack open my Bible. Some days, I don’t listen to Gospel/Christian music. Some nights, I forget to pray. However, the point that I am actively trying to increase my relationship with God is what I believe delights God. He knows in my heart that this is what I actively desire. 1 Chronicles 16:11 (NLT) says, “Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.” Besides, if I miss too many days of not reading the Bible, not watching online sermons or praying at night, I begin to feel bad and start over.
The amazing thing about developing a deeper relationship with God is the more I crave a deeper relationship with God. The more I want to read the Bible. The more I want to go to Church and fellowship with other believers. I, even, pray more often. Since a few years ago, I made a goal to start saying daily morning prayers along with my nightly prayers. Now, no matter what occurs throughout the day, I will stop and pray. There are times when I’ll finish praying and two seconds later, I’m praying again. I talk to God that much.
Going back to my earlier illustration, if I had a friend who had a boyfriend that lied to her, cheated on her and didn’t make time for her, but she said he loved her, I would tell her that there is a big difference between loving someone and having love for someone. I had to realize that until about a few months ago, I just had love for God. I didn’t do all the things that loving God required. Now, I ask you:
