Rules, Regiment & Relationship

Wow. I think I could write a whole book on this subject! Before you think I believe I know a lot here, though, just keep in mind, most people learn through failures . . . and failures I sometimes do feel I have down pat, ha ha.

Have you ever heard that love is a choice? Most have. I have to tell you that I feel it is and also that in part it isn't, but whatever your bend or belief there, surely you know there is such a thing as "love".

Humanly we are drawn to other people. That's not a bad thing. God made us that way. *He also made us in His image . . . . hmm-

Now maybe this guy here is attracted to that lady because he tends to like blondes, likes the way the hair looks in the sunlight . . .

Maybe this girl here is attracted to that guy over there because she thinks he's funny and he makes her laugh . . .

& Maybe these two ladies are fast friends because they both enjoy shopping, both get the same jokes and both think the same t.v. shows are stupid . . .

These are attractions and "cliques" but these are not love . . . although they have the potential to be---in one sort or another.

Now, have you ever wondered why God would even want you to come to Him? Have you ever just thought about Adam and Eve or thought about the evil the world filled up with until He decided to flood it out . . . or even about now with all the atrocities that man has been able to fathom and carry out . . . Have you ever just thought maybe it didn't make all that much sense that He, God, would become Man, Jesus, and be born on this earth to adhere to parents and grow up and be sent on a three year mission of walking and talking and "loving" the people--- including the rough ones, the smelly ones, the clueless ones and the less than desirable of society---as well as the regular Joes and even the soldiers that would eventually kill Him? Did you ever think that it makes no sense why ANYONE would ever do such a thing?

Humanly, it doesn't.

But God, Creator of all things- both heaven and earth----- longed for us, His masterpiece, created in His own image . . . to be able to be reconciled back unto Himself. He knew there would be none righteous enough . . . He knew that NO ONE man or woman would ever make the grade, the cut or be able to stand . . .

So in the one and only recorded case of "completely committed" . . . the Lord Himself became man so that we had a way back to Him . . . He loved us that much.

Think of it this way. Have you ever seen the following:

1) Couple 1: They are married, have jobs, have kids. They have a decent house and go on vacation every year. They don't talk alot. He watches ball on the weekends and she goes with her friends. While with his friends he complains about his wife and her nagging. & While she's with her friends she seeks sympathy because she views him as lazy and unmotivated and now her friends do too. & They leave it this way. & They don't really want to be there, but neither seem to ever take a step toward making anything different. He continues to bring home the bulk of their money . . . cause "that's what you do" . . . and she continues to cook and clean and do his laundry, mechanically even . . . because "that's what you do". Obligation. Rules. No one is stepping out on anyone------that's wrong. No one is leaving or stopping what they are "supposed to do" . . . but this picture is lacking one thing----one to another and overall . . . "L O V E".

2) Couple 2: Also married, have been 15 years. You don't hear him or her saying much of anything that could even be construed as mean spirited toward the other-----except in jest . . . & When that happens, they both laugh. -No glaring looks shot across this table! You see them occasionally holding hands. & Yeah, they have their rough times too, . . . but they seem broken by them and then drawn closer together . . . not like they are relinqushing anything . . . & You will notice that there seems to be an "above and beyond" kind of mentality. You might not see it everyday, but eventually will witness both kinda being selfless and doing things for that other one for seemingly no good reason, other than just because they can.
"L O V E".

Now, with this in mind, let us think about the Lord.

He created us. He formed us in our mother's wombs. He longs for us to be in relationship with Him, . . . yet He gave us free will. In essence, we can "choose" to be in relationship with Him or not. Now why would He do that?!?!?!? I mean He's GOD!!!

Simple way to look at it: If you are in a "relationship" with a lady or a man . . . do you want them there because they have to be . . . or because they "want" to be? If they do things for you, . . . do you want them doing it only because it is required or because their heart is to do those things and even to please you? That's why. It is Rules & Regiment vs. Relationship.

A relationship built only on the rules & regiment side gives only what is required and meets the minimum standards to still meet the criteria.

A relationship that is truly relationship is built on love.


& *A relationship with God simply built on head knoweldge, religion and the rules only . . . isn't really a relationship at all.

A relationship with God isn't because you "have to", . . . but because you want to.

It might mean the difference between "busying yourself" with your hand or foot in ten different ministries . . .

. . .Or simply sitting alone in a pew and reading I Corinthians one day.

*Or maybe just saying, "Here I am Lord, what do You want from me today"? . . . and waiting . . . for the answer.

So today, assessment . . . where are we? Where are the relationships in our lives? Are they even really relationships?

& More importantly, . . . where is our relationship with God? Do we have one?

Hmmm. Kinda throws a new spin unto "Love thy God with all your heart, soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself . . . "

True relationship will have a sense of duty/obligation, but that will not be the whole thing and it will not be the driving force most of the time.

True relationship will have all the components and it will persevere when it makes no human sense at all. It will push you to your limit and will bring you back a better man, or woman . . . and it will be that one place, that one indescribable thing that you no longer ever want to live without.

& That is what a relationship with God is like.
:) God bless