My mom and I were talking last night about a blog post we had both read that dealt with the idea of a personal relationship with God. The post points out how ridiculous the notion is sometimes. I’ve struggled with this a lot—how do I know if the elusive voice of God isn’t really just a thought I myself am having? However, Mom and I both agreed that, looking back, it’s easy to see God’s hand in our lives. An example: if I wouldn’t have graduated early from college, it would have been terribly hard to finish up that spring semester when Dad died. I technically still haven’t finished my second major, because I had to drop a 2 credit-hour class that started the day after he died. I know that example may seem like a little thing, but God’s timing is evident in hindsight.
We were still left wondering, though, about the present. Sure, it’s great to look back
and praise God for what She has done. But I need comfort and guidance now, too.
This whole personal relationship thing where I’m in a room by myself with my
Bible and my prayers just does not cut it. Praying, for me, seems like a
one-way, dead-end, non-conversation at times. Some crazy crazy thoughts can get
into my head, especially experiencing grief, and I need God and other people to
make it through. That’s basically the conclusion Mom and I came up
with—community is vital.
I was looking through my dad’s blog last night, because sometimes I do that when I miss him and just need to read his common-sense thoughts. He provided so well for us when he was living and still does so now, isn’t that strange. A post dated June 19, 2004, spoke to the conversation last night. He was reading Dallas Willard’s book, Divine Conspiracy, and had just finished a chapter on prayer:
“I find it interesting that even in our private prayer life, as we pray in the name of our personal savior, others play a part.
Jesus instructs us to pray OUR father....Give US... forgive US ....as WE forgive OTHERS. So our relationship with those around us is vital. We do not have the option of isolating ourselves from others, it seems. The Bible teaches us that if our relationships are strained with man, they are therefore strained with God.
For so long I lived my life trying to have a personal relationship with Christ, often times neglecting the relationship that is necessary with others. I think Christ came to save a people, not just a person. The focal point of Christ ministry is put others first. This is how we show our love for God, in whose image we were created.
It is okay to ask for anything we desire as long as we remember to put others first. Many say put God first, but doesn't Christ tell us that putting others first IS putting God first? I don't know if that was the point Willard was making or not, but I can't get away from the thought that proper prayer life is contingent on proper relationship with others. (Forgive us as we forgive others)”
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