In Touch - Dec. 27, 2006

December 27, 2006

Meditation in Relationship

2 Samuel 7:8-22

Many people ask, “What can I do to really grow in my Christian life?” They are usually looking for a secret path to maturity— something to do, some specific type of service, gift, or talent.  And yet, the true key to growing in your relationship with Christ isn’t found in any of these things. In fact, Dr. Stanley firmly believes the most important thing you can do to mature in your faith is simply to focus on your relationship with our heavenly Father.

We need to realize that genuine maturity and effectiveness are tied to our relationship with the Lord. When we take our focus off of what we can do for Him, our entire thought process will start to shift. This truth puts all believers on the same level, from the high-profile preacher to the quietest, most humble member of the church. Talents, gifts, and personalities do not matter anywhere near as much as the commitment to simply know God.

1 Samuel 13:14 tells us King David was “a man after [God’s] own heart.” And yet, in 2 Samuel 7:18, David himself asked, “Who am I... that You have brought me this far?” Why was God so gracious to him? What was it about him that God valued so highly? It was that David knew God. He spent time with the Lord.  He poured his heart out to his heavenly Father.  In psalm after psalm, we see him laying everything out before the Lord and seeking His perfect will. David’s strength was in his relationship with God.

Do you want to grow in the Lord? Perhaps you need to stop asking, “What can I do?” Or, “How can I serve?” Instead, say, “Here I am, Father. Let’s talk.”