Wednesday, February 5, 2014

A Checklist Relationship


“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (I John 4:9-10 NIV)

A student recently shared that when she first came to college, getting involved with a campus ministry was on her list.  It was something she thought she should do since she had grown up in church.  When she came to CCF, she was then able to check that off her list and focus on other things.  

Isn’t this how many of us approach our relationship with God, as an item to check off our list?  Went to church, check.  Prayed before my meal, check.  Read a passage in the Bible, check.  Our relationship with Him is an obligation that we must fulfill.  We approach it as a “to do” list and once we have completed the list, we feel pretty good about ourselves.  

The question is does love really work this way?  As we approach Valentine’s Day, I think of the men who at the last minute try to find a card or order flowers.  It’s expected.  It’s on their list of things they have to get done.  But are their hearts really in it?  Women know the difference.  So does God.  

He doesn’t want us to feel obligated; He wants us to feel love.  Don’t we all?  Are we ever truly satisfied being given love and attention out of obligation?  We know the difference.

The student of whom I spoke realized the emptiness of her relationship with God and now has one that is full and rich.  God is no longer merely an item on her checklist.  And both of them notice the difference.

Today, consider your relationship with the Lord.  Is it a vibrant relationship of love or is it more of an obligation, something to check off your list?  He knows the difference and, I guess, so do you.

© Jim Musser 2014

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