How guarded are you in your relationship with God? I am nearly done with my first read through of “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan and am really enjoying it. It has been very challenging as it has highlighted some weaknesses in my life when it comes to my relationship with God. I am really grateful for this role the book has played as I can now work on these areas and get to a place I am happy with. I wanted to share a small section of the book that I read today that I thought was really interesting:
“Before my wife and I got married I knew that I had to tell her everything about me, all the ways I’d messed up. All the things I’d done. She had to know what she was getting before she agreed to marry me. That conversation was not easy, but at the end of it, we still chose to be with each other, to commit our lives to one another. I find myself acting differently with God. Often, when I pray, I will phrase my sentences in a way that makes me sound better. I will try to soften my sins, or touch up my true feelings before laying them before God. How foolish it is for me to be completely honest with my wife about my shortcomings, but try to fool God!… People who are obsessed [with God] are raw with God; they do not attempt to mask the ugliness of their sins or their failures. Obsessed people don’t put it on for God; He is their safe place where they can be at peace.” – Francis Chan
I think that this is such an interesting observation that Francis Chan makes. As children of God we have no reason to try and edit ourselves in how we interact with God in any way or in any situation. If we have messed up we can be completely transparent with Him in asking for forgiveness as there’s no point in trying to hide anything from the One who knows everything!
1 Lord, you have searched me and known me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I stand up;
you understand my thoughts from far away.
3 You observe my travels and my rest;
you are aware of all my ways.
Psalm 139:1-3
God desires an intimate relationship with each and every one of His children and one of the ways in which we can make this happen is through being vulnerable enough to always be honest with our amazing Father.
Much Love,
Luke
I loved reading this. Such a wonderful reminder to be authentic, especially with God🙏🏻🌸