I don’t know about anyone else, but I get a little bit annoyed when people show up unexpectedly. I’m probably a little unfair to be so, but it’s just how I’m wired. Maybe I have something going on that I’d rather get finished than to stop and visit, but I always try my best to make folks feel welcome and in fact, I’m one of those people who goes out of their way to avoid being impolite and have gotten pretty good at keeping my annoyance to myself so as to make visitors feel welcome at any time, but still it’s always nice to get a heads up before folks come calling.
Today I was meditating on talking to God and thinking about how He is always on stand-by for us when we decide to come to Him. He knows why we come to Him in each and every instance, and we most likely have some problem or another we want Him to resolve or at least help us to resolve. Have you ever had one of those friends or neighbors that never call or come by unless they need something? In my years I’ve had those kinds of acquaintances. In fact, truth be told, most people are like that to some degree – you see them more often when they have some kind of problem and it’s rare for anyone to stop by unless this is so.
What if we were to just stop whatever we’re doing and say hello to our Father? I’d bet He doesn’t get a lot of those prayers, people just touching base and wishing Him well. Of course, He doesn’t need our well-wishes, but the thought would be nice and from the heart, as opposed to those prayers of thanks we send up out of habit before meals or bedtime prayers we practice by rote every night. I’m not advocating we stop those kinds of prayers, but are they really from our hearts, or are most of our prayers like that just fulfilling an obligation? And for sure, the prayers we pray when we’re in need or in trouble of some kind are sincere enough, but does He see us as those neighbors who only call on us in times of need?
When you stop and think about it, coming before God in prayer is a great honor none of us deserve, but a lot of us just step up to His throne as if He owes it to us to listen – as though we have some kind of right to be there in His mighty presence. What a huge privilege it is for us to be granted audience with the Creator of the universe whenever we want to approach Him! Try gaining audience with some high-ranking politician, much less a president or prime minister. How about speaking with a monarch of some kind? At the very least, you’d be in for some serious red tape, background checks, and much time in waiting for such a meeting. But with God, our Lord and Savior? Anytime, He is there waiting for us to come near! In fact, we are told in the scriptures that if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. He is more than willing to visit with us, and that is a phenomenal truth that I fear we don’t appreciate as we should.
When we stop and consider the immensity and complexity of the creation, at least that part of it we know of, it’s staggering – in fact, we cannot begin to fathom the intricacies of overseeing and directing the happenings of all the details of the whole universe, but He attends to everything and does it with perfection! He knows how many hairs are on your head! He is aware of every bird that falls from the sky, yet He is ever available for us when we step before His throne. What a privilege to be able to speak with such a magnanimous entity whenever we choose to do so!
With all of this wonder in mind, it’s imperative that when we do stand before His throne in the presence of the hosts of Heaven that we acknowledge His magnificence, that we appropriately humble ourselves [Matthew 18:3]: “and (Jesus) said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Yes with childlike wonder and complete subservience in recognition of His power and glory. When we humble ourselves before Him, we become blessed with His unimaginable favor, [Matthew 18:4]: “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.“
We should also at least try at some level to appreciate the undying love He has for us. It’s not that we should necessarily try and understand it, because we can’t. But if it were not for that love, we doubtlessly would not be privileged to approach Him as He has blessed us to be able in our condition. The very best we can conceivably be before Him, the most righteous persona we might be able to muster – are something like dirty rags, unadulterated filth, but He hears us anyway. In fact, He loves it when we choose to be before Him, especially on those rare occasions when we come simply for His fellowship and aren’t asking for something.
It’s of utmost importance to bear in mind and always remember that we cannot enter into God’s presence without the consent and company of Jesus Christ. Without Jesus, God will not hear our prayers and Jesus made that plain when He said [John 14:6]: “Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to the Father but through Me.” Any prayer sent to God without Jesus’ inclusion is a total waste of breath, and an exercise in futility. God went through a very difficult ordeal watching His Son being sacrificed for our malign behavior and it’s not hard to believe He harbors much animosity for human beings who ignore such a terrible ordeal by rejecting His Son. So don’t!
Unlike some of us people, God isn’t the least bit annoyed when we unexpectedly come before Him, especially when our visit is driven by love and a pure heart and not necessarily because we have some kind of problem. He always makes time for us, so don’t be shy about visiting with Him just because you want to say hello. It’s okay to tell Him you love Him because He sincerely loves you and He told us so many times in the Bible. None of us can begin to fathom how profound that love is. Keep in touch with our Lord.
May the blessings of the Almighty Father find and keep us.
MK











