Conversations With God

Wow, it's almost a brand new year! But before we rush into the next one, I want to reflect a little on this one and what has come before.

I've had many conversations with God through my time reflecting on his written Word, personalizing it and praying to him about what I was hearing him say. It's amazing to me how many times my scheduled reading has struck me as being just what I was needing to hear at that juncture in my life or even that particular day's circumstances. And even on the days when the reading wasn't about whatever was already on my mind, I found that it was still what I needed to hear. Sometimes God speaks right into the situations we are struggling with or celebrating. Other times he speaks into our value systems, our quest for character, our invariable search for meaning, acceptance and love.

Those very meaningful conversations have been the guide posts along my journey. Without them, I would have been lost in a fog. It strikes me that the populace that surrounds me seems to spend most of their time wandering in an unseen haze, unclear about what is true or what is truly valuable and beneficial to their own experience of life. Rarely do they pull themselves away from the distractions around them long enough to pause and look up to the One who thoughtfully made them and gave them physical life and every good thing they've ever received or experienced. He loves us more than we can fathom, yet not many people welcome his love and step into a real relationship with God where they can actually enjoy him.

People seem to be afraid to hear what God has to say. In reality, I have found that he is always saying the things that will bring people to life. The themes of our conversations are always consistent. God is saying to me, to you, to everyone . . .

"I created you to love you, and for you to experience a love like no other. In loving me back, you will find life. I'm not talking about having a heartbeat, eating, breathing, and the other things you think of as life. Listen to me and I will show you the morning sun. I will give you strength to work through midday and I will walk with you and open your eyes to the wonder of the sunset.

"I will make you the person you've always wished to be deep inside, the kind of person others look up to. I will free you from bitterness and unresolved guilt and from your feelings of inferiority so that you can experience satisfying, authentic relationships, beginning with me. You will begin to understand why sin is evil and hurtful to you and why my way is the way of love, forgiveness, compassion, justice, kindness, truthfulness, service, loyalty, self-sacrifice, courage and purity. All of your deepest needs will be met in the kind of life I am calling you to.

"I am the source of everything good, every joy that you long for. Give me your heart and I will give you hope. Trust me. Rely on me. Give to me everything you have and are and I will give you myself--not a bad trade!

"Quit hiding. Step out and engage your world. My light inside you gives you so much to offer the world. Share it! Give it away! You can make a difference.

"And never forget that when you stumble or fall and the pain overwhelms you, I am with you then, too. I never walk away and leave you when your trust is in me. I use those times to refine you, to build your spiritual muscles, to put legs under your faith. Relax and let me do my best work in you.

"Just wait and see what I have in store for you! You have no idea how amazing it's going to be!"

So, if you would like to know God more fully, I hope you will stop and listen to him. Have your own heart-to-heart conversations with him. Let my blog be an encouragement to you as I share mine. Stay with me and let's keep traveling further into the wonder of God. Take several minutes now to just be quiet and pray. Let God love you today and love him in return. Best wishes for a happy new year!

After you pray, would you just take a second and share this post with all your friends on Facebook by clicking the Facebook icon (f) below? And I would love to hear how the blog has blessed you this year. Best wishes for a happy new year!