We see families going about their business too busy for church. Why don’t they come to church today, we think as we drive by them Sunday morning all prim and proper. We see people in their own world, not interested in what we have to say. “I wish they would come to know Jesus” or “I hope they come to know Jesus”, we think as we pass them by. But what does God see. He sees souls meant for Heaven but headed to hell, not just outside of the church walls, but within them too. He sees people who like to keep up appearances, but on the inside they are a mess, lonely, hurt, confused and longing for hope. He sees His church to busy with life, to busy with “church” to stop and share His love with those that are lost.
How do we know when we are close to God? When we hear his voice. When we hear with His ears. When we see with His eyes. It is far too easy to become concerned with our appearances or accomplishing the things on our to do list that we miss God. We miss the opportunities to sit at His feet, and we miss the opportunities to love others into His Kingdom. Yes, we have lives, we need to raise our kids and make a living. But there is more to it than that. We need to know God. We need to love God and let His love be in us and work through us. We need to love and lead others to Him.
“But I don’t know how to lead someone to Jesus”. If you draw close to Jesus, something will begin to change on the inside of you. You will no longer be licking your own wounds, and working to mend your own hurts in the altar every Sunday, but rather your arms -instead of reaching within to cradle yourself- will begin to reach out to others. If we know God, truly know Him, we will be perfected in His love. Then His love will radiate from us, touching those around us.
Take some time today. Examine your life. Is God your everything? Does your soul long more for God than yesterday? Are your arms reaching in rather than out? When you come to church is it so you can be spoon fed and coddled, or is it to Worship your God with fellow believers, encouraging each other, as you look expectantly for our Savior’s return? Does your heart break for the lost or for your own needs? Let’s draw nearer to God, so we can see what He sees and be His hands extended.
I’m reminded of a song we used to sing in church when I was a child: “Just to be His hand extended, reaching out to the oppressed. Let me touch Him, let me touch Jesus. So that others may know and be blessed.”
Ephesians 5:1-2, 15-21: Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
1 Timothy 2:1-6 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.
