Let’s face it. Relationships are a two way street. This is true even with God. For what God does for us, he expects something in return. All relationships are this way. Look at marriage vows for example. Both the husband and the wife each vow to do certain things for the other. It is just a way of life. A little give and a little take.
I just want to look at a few things that God does for us, and what he expects in return.
He leads us. All we have to do is follow.
That’s right. He will lead us. There is a path laid out before us. And God will lead us down that path. He will lead us through good times and bad times. He will lead us through prosperity. He will lead us through sickness and health. There are many times that we try to make our own way. I worked for a certain company a few years ago. And I felt God was leading me down a path. But somewhere along the way, I stepped away from that path. I tried to take control. I was like a bull in a china shop. I left my job and took a job in a completely different profession. I knew what my dream was. I had an idea of what God’s purpose for me was. And this new profession did not fit the bill. But I went for it anyway. And I had to go through some pretty deep lows before I realized that I for me to get where I needed to get in life, I could not be in control. He has to be in control. And I had to give up control. I had to leave my job, before I had a new job. And for those of you who don’t know me, leaving something like that to chance is not me. “How were we going to pay the bills without my paycheck? What was I going to do?” And it wasn’t until I decided to do what I knew God wanted that everything turned around. I now have a job that is taking me further toward my goals and dreams then I could have imagined. God has given me opportunities in the past year and a half that I would have never gotten before. And all I had to do was follow Him.
He will take care of us. All we have to do is give it to him and lay it all at his feet.
He will provide for us. He will make sure that you and your family have food. He will make sure that the bills get paid. He will make that situation at work or at home better. I can’t tell you how many times Jimmy and I have done the bills and wondered how we were going to make it. I would get nauseous just thinking about going into the next few days with no money. All our bills were paid, but what would happen if something came up. And I finally decided that if God could always bless me with enough to pay my bills, even when our paychecks fluctuated, that He could make a way for anything that came up. I had to give it to him. I had to let go of the constant worry and trust that He would take care of my family. We have had checks and money come in that we were not expecting. Raises when it wasn’t time for raises. Whatever we have needed, he has supplied it all and then some.
He will speak to us. All we have to do is stop for a minute and listen.
He will tell you what you need to hear. I was on a plane recently, sitting quietly. I had been waiting to hear from God about a decision that I was going to make for my life. And as I was sitting on the plane, listening to some worship music, I just focused on Him and listened. And just like that, I got my answer. I had been toiling for a while about this decision. And all it took was for me to slow down and open my ears.
He forgives. All we have to do is ask.
No matter the sin. No matter the offense. God will forgive it. Think about that. We have all been hurt. And we will all be hurt. How hard is it for us to forgive. For a long time, I have lived life by the old adage: “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” I have held grudges for so long that I couldn’t tell you why I was mad the other person. Silly, right? Well not God. Big or small-He will always forgive you. And all you have to do is ask.
He will save you and give you eternal life. All you have to do is accept Him into your life.
Wow! Now I have gotten a lot of presents in my life. I stretch my birthday celebration to last about a week. Except this year. I turn 30, so I think I may celebrate this one with my head buried under my pillow. But I don’t think I have gotten a gift that will compare to His gift of eternal life. And we don’t have to go out and do anything to get it. Just accept Him into our hearts and love Him.
Now if you ask me this relationship is not evenly divided. It seems to me that God is doing most of the heavy lifting here. But that is how He operates. He loves us that much. And I for one am so thankful for that.
