July 2007

It's been 26 years ago this month that I returned home after spending several years in the military. I had been back only a few short weeks when one day at church I noticed a "new face" in the choir, a lovely young lady who would, two years later, become my wife, Felecia.

I wouldn't say necessarily that it was "love at first sight." In fact, some of our mutual friends tried so hard to "put us together" that they actually drove us apart! But alas, love prevailed, Cupid's arrow found its mark, and at some point I fell head-over-heels for that girl! A really strange thing began to happen; instead of avoiding her I began to seek her out. Eventually we began wanting to be with each other, spending time together and getting to know one another better. We each became a priority in the other's life, sharing our deepest thoughts, wishes, desires and everything going on in our lives. We wanted to be together and the worst possible thing was to be apart! In short, we were in love, and we pursued the relationship because it was really and truly important to us. And that pursuit didn't end at the wedding ceremony. That was only the beginning of a wonderful, God-given relationship that has not only lasted, but has grown better and better for 24 years this August!

The very same things that we do to get to know someone and to develop a loving relationship with them are the same kinds of things we should do to get to know God. Just as the wedding ceremony isn't all there is to being married, becoming a Christian isn't all there is to a relationship with God - it's just the beginning! We must spend time with Him to develop a more intimate relationship with our Creator, for that is our purpose. It is why you were created! In John 15:7-8 we see that the foundation of being a disciple is that we abide in Him and His words abide in us.

This only comes about from spending private time with God everyday, listening intently to what He has to say to us from His word, and us talking to Him honestly and openly from our hearts in prayer. This "quiet time" should not simply be an intellectual pursuit of biblical information, but the foundation of a loving relationship with our Heavenly Father. As we read and study the Word of God, we must at the same time be pursuing the God of the Word!

He wants only the best for you, my friend. He knows you, and He desires for you to know Him - personally, intimately, continually and eternally.