Be Engaged

Reciprocal relationships are generally the best kind. You know, those relationships when both parties are engaged: teacher-student, husband-wife, business-customer, friend-friend, etc. The relationship between the people of Israel and God wasn’t always mutual. God said to them, “I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved Me and followed Me through a land not sown.” (Jeremiah 2:2).  Before we start thinking shame-on-you Israel, we’re wise to consider if there’s shame at our own doorstep! God is always loving and kind to His children but [truth is] we’re not always loving and kind in-return. A good measure of just how much we love God is how much we treasure our relationship with Christ and how involved we are in our relationship with others. It’s worthwhile to ask: “do I remember a time when I loved God more than I do right now?” Be careful with your answer because God knows the answer – maybe the time when we were first saved and our excited and eager we were about our New Life in Christ. I am very blessed with a number of old [long-time] friendships that are sweetly reciprocal – wonderfully refreshing.  God faithfully engages with those who love Him. Your faithful love and obedience is the best thing you bring to the relationship. Be and stay engaged!