A few years ago during Sunday morning church service, I looked over to see one of the young men, a few pews in front of me, just sobbing.
I stood there and watched, a little concerned that something happened, then realized what was happening. The songs had moved him to such a state that all he could do was stand there, sister embracing him, and sob for, what I suspect, was the overwhelming love and grace he felt from his Savior.
That image has been in my head ever since. When I saw him, after the concern was over, I was a little jealous. Why did It not bring tears to my eyes at the wave of love that came from my Savior? I thought about it for several weeks.
I have since come to the realization that my relationship with Jesus only depends on how deep or shallow I make it to be. It is my choice how much or little time I spend with Him; how much or little I allow Him in my everyday life.
See, He is always there. He is our "constant" and desires to spend time with us; He wants us to bring our cares to Him, pray to Him, praise and thank Him. He desires it all, but how often do we truly open up our lives for Him TO work or move? Personally, I give the excuse that I am just "busy" all the time. I didn't have "time" to read my bible this morning or pray before my meal.
The truth is this: we make time for what we want to do.
This young mans name was Jimmy. This image I still hold is one of the hundreds of ways he inspired and encouraged me to push past the cares, worries and struggles of the world and to strive for not just a religion about Jesus, but a deep, personal, and emotional RELATIONSHIP with Him. Some people only see the wrath of Jesus; some choose to see only love. But Jimmy saw the beauty of everything God is put together, and that makes a masterpiece of awe and wonder. The beauty Jesus has created in the small areas of our lives, whether it be flowers, bees, dirt, trees or the sky. When you take the time to look at everything God has made as a form of artwork, you then can truly see it's beauty. To see the world (nature, weather, people,) as Jimmy did, that would be a true life changer indeed.
This young mans name was Jimmy. This image I still hold is one of the hundreds of ways he inspired and encouraged me to push past the cares, worries and struggles of the world and to strive for not just a religion about Jesus, but a deep, personal, and emotional RELATIONSHIP with Him. Some people only see the wrath of Jesus; some choose to see only love. But Jimmy saw the beauty of everything God is put together, and that makes a masterpiece of awe and wonder. The beauty Jesus has created in the small areas of our lives, whether it be flowers, bees, dirt, trees or the sky. When you take the time to look at everything God has made as a form of artwork, you then can truly see it's beauty. To see the world (nature, weather, people,) as Jimmy did, that would be a true life changer indeed.
The tears, inability to speak, falling to my knees all because of Gods overwhelming presence and love; that is the kind of relationship I want with my Jesus.
That is the kind of praise God deserves, and so much more. What are we willing to give up to allow Him to give us new eyes, and a life overflowing with His presence?
