The Father’s desire is for me, even in my weakest and darkest hour. His love is constantly searching and yearning to simply be with me. It is His pursuit that has awakened the deep desire to serve Him with unrestricted love. The key to my discovery? Give up! Give up? Like throw the towel in, quit, peace-out? Exactly. Isn’t giving up synonymous for surrender? I had to stop trying so hard to please God and instead, began to listen to the desire of my heart that was craving His touch.
I had to stop doing and start being. The very fact that I was made in His image and for His glory means that by simply existing in an awareness of my deep desire for Him, I was connecting at deeper levels with the heart of God than when I would force myself to pray for an hour.
God does not have a list of requirements for me. He does not get upset when I don’t punch in on my quiet time clock or forget to fast the first Monday of every month. He desires my heart to be awakened to His love and in return produce greater love, which causes my heart to actively pursue Him.
Now my prayer, fasting and Bible reading are my end and no longer my means of attempting to evoke God’s presence. The spiritual disciplines are now fruits of a heart that is obsessed with loving God. I no longer live in confusion, guilt and shame, but now I serve my Love in liberty and freedom. I now have a greater understanding of what Christ meant when He said He no longer calls us slaves, but His friends.
Dig Deeper:
Today’s Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for loving me wholly and perfectly. I praise you for freeing me and making me a friend.
