For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the LORD,
- Jeremiah 29:11-14a
If anything in my life has been an exercise in spiritual growth, it has been our marriage. Now, don’t get me wrong. I am madly in love with Mr. Morton and wouldn’t trade one minute of our time together for anything. I recognize completely that the LORD brought us together and that there is likely no one else on the planet who would put up with me and my ridiculous-ness. (I think I just made up a new word, but you get the idea.)
- Jeremiah 29:11-14a
If anything in my life has been an exercise in spiritual growth, it has been our marriage. Now, don’t get me wrong. I am madly in love with Mr. Morton and wouldn’t trade one minute of our time together for anything. I recognize completely that the LORD brought us together and that there is likely no one else on the planet who would put up with me and my ridiculous-ness. (I think I just made up a new word, but you get the idea.)
With that said, we have had some moments that reign in marital infamy. We’ve said things we wish we hadn’t; done things we would like to take back; and breathed on each other first thing in the morning. (That’s so wrong.) I have come to realize that my behavior toward my husband is often the same as my behavior toward God. It usually goes like this:
1. We stop taking time for each other.
2. Communication breaks down.
3. Begin to feel neglected.
4. Feeling neglected turns into suspicion.
5. Suspicion turns into anger.
6. Anger turns into resentment.
7. Something happens and an argument ensues.
8. Argument over X turns into argument over everything from A to Z.
It always works this ways. Sometimes #8 lasts a few minutes, hours, or even days. But, the root of the issue is also always the same.
And, isn’t this the same way I am with the LORD?
1. I stop taking time for just me and the LORD
2. Communication between us breaks down. (I can’t hear Him.)
3. Begin to feel anxious.
4. Anxiety turns to fear.
5. Fear turns to stress.
6. Stress turns to anger.
7. Something happens that I can’t handle.
8. I find myself at the feet of the LORD screaming, ‘Why?’
Here’s the irony (I mean lesson.) In both my marriage and my journey with the Father, when I stop taking time and investing in the relationship, everything begins to break down. How many times have I said to myself, ‘I feel distant from the LORD’ when in reality I am the one who walked away! I am reminded of Mary, who stopped what she was doing and sat at the feet of Jesus. She could have been like her sister, Martha, who allowed the needs of the hour to consume her when Jesus, himself, was in her house.
James 4:8 says, ‘Come near to God and he will come near to you.’ That’s His promise. And, He is faithful, so it’s safe to take Him at His word.
Thank you, LORD.
1. We stop taking time for each other.
2. Communication breaks down.
3. Begin to feel neglected.
4. Feeling neglected turns into suspicion.
5. Suspicion turns into anger.
6. Anger turns into resentment.
7. Something happens and an argument ensues.
8. Argument over X turns into argument over everything from A to Z.
It always works this ways. Sometimes #8 lasts a few minutes, hours, or even days. But, the root of the issue is also always the same.
And, isn’t this the same way I am with the LORD?
1. I stop taking time for just me and the LORD
2. Communication between us breaks down. (I can’t hear Him.)
3. Begin to feel anxious.
4. Anxiety turns to fear.
5. Fear turns to stress.
6. Stress turns to anger.
7. Something happens that I can’t handle.
8. I find myself at the feet of the LORD screaming, ‘Why?’
Here’s the irony (I mean lesson.) In both my marriage and my journey with the Father, when I stop taking time and investing in the relationship, everything begins to break down. How many times have I said to myself, ‘I feel distant from the LORD’ when in reality I am the one who walked away! I am reminded of Mary, who stopped what she was doing and sat at the feet of Jesus. She could have been like her sister, Martha, who allowed the needs of the hour to consume her when Jesus, himself, was in her house.
James 4:8 says, ‘Come near to God and he will come near to you.’ That’s His promise. And, He is faithful, so it’s safe to take Him at His word.
Thank you, LORD.
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