A Love Relationship with God

Sometimes I feel as I am chained to my past & it stops me from moving on into thinking about an eternity with Jesus. I shared before how my brokenness and feelings of not being good enough hindered me from following God. I think I feel like I’m shaped by my past because of my faith in Christ. I’ve always been paranoid that when people think or/ see me, they are also reminded of my past and think I can’t do more or be a better follower. When reality is, God is all powerful and all-knowing and he loves me, so it doesn’t matter what people on Earth think. I’m so fixated on it. Paul talks about his difficulty with letting go of everything to know and become like Christ: “Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus”. It’s encouraging to know that even as a disciple, Paul struggled also. May I strive to become more like Paul and look towards God being my ultimate reward. I pray that the temporary things of this Earth remain temporary in my mind. God, I no longer want to focus on my past or present, but what your purpose is. Thank you for creating me and loving me for an eternity with you.

From don:

The statement that most resonated with me in today’s reading was, “God did not create you for time; He created you for eternity. Time- your lifetime on earth- provides the opportunity for you to become acquainted with Him. It provides occassions for Him to develop your character into His likeness. Then eternity will hold its fullest dimensions for you.” It seems to me that once we begin to develop an eternal perspective, everything changes. Our priorities and values in life are no longer the same, much like the author points out. For me, I think of my role as a father. From a worldly perspective, a parent desires their children to be healthy, socially accepted, ambitious, and successful. However, from an eternal perspective, these priorities begin to give way to more lasting things. We begin to desire our children to first have a loving relationship with their heavenly Father, then to be used by Him for His glory, and to seek to further His kingdom while they are here. This may not result in material wealth or even physical safety and security- but it will ensure their eternal blessing, and, even greater, God’s glorification.
Although we still of course desire their earthly well-being, and certainly will and should work toward keeping them physically healthy and secure, specifically while they are still children, this is no longer the end all be all of our job as parents. Our time here on earth is an opportunity for us to develop a relationship with God and to build Christlike character in preparation for an eternity spent glorifying Him.
Lord, I pray that we would live with eternity in mind. I pray that we would begin to “store up for ourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Help us to seek You first and Your righteousness. Lead us in the way everlasting!

I think orienting my life to God’s will is seeking God through every decision I make. If I were to dwell on the brokenness of the past, I am missing out in the ultimate purpose of creation. Through this, I am reminded that God created me for eternity and that I am built for something so much more purposeful and meaningful.

Although, it is encouraged to emulate Paul’s zealousness for God, I find myself not having God-centered thoughts but more self-centered ones. An example would be having financial freedom or a sustaining job that will keep me living in Orange County. Yeah those are good things to think about, but at what point will it sustain me forever? I am reminded that I do not need my past or the secular things of the world to be fulfilled. I am “completely filled in a relationship with God”. God will not only set me up for the future but for all of eternity.

The meaningful lesson that I learned from today’s passage is “To be loved by God is the highest relationship. The highest achievement, and the highest position in life.” He will tell us to obey Him and do everything He asks. We do not, however, need to accomplish anything to be fulfilled. In our relationship with God, we are totally fulfilled. Furthermore, God did not create us for a certain period of time; rather, He made us for eternity. We have the opportunity to get to know Him as time passes. It allows Him to shape our personalities in His image. Then we shall be able to see eternity in all of its glory. God uses our current circumstances to shape us for future benefits on this earth and in eternity. We must concentrate on seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness. We should also pray for God’s guidance and directions so that we make sure we are investing in things that are lasting, things that will remain in eternity.