I’ve been sick lately, and I’m off my game. I feel like I’m not getting as much done as I should, and I feel a little bit lost about how to get back on track. The things I want to do mostly center around not having to think or move much. The things I ought to do–writing, walking my dogs, chores, errands–involve at least thinking or moving, sometimes both.
I already blogged about how I spent some time making bookmarks with verses from John on them. This was one of those tasks that didn’t involve moving and, in theory, wasn’t supposed to involve much thinking, either. After all, I was just copying verses down word for word on the back of some paper and then covering the whole thing in contact paper because that’s how all the cool kids laminate things. 😉
Well, writing the verses out ended up being an exercise in thought. Words and truths stood out to me in ways they haven’t before. Here’s one of the verses:
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35, ESV)
Here’s another one:
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12, ESV)
Never thirst? Never hunger? Not walk in darkness?
What wonderful promises!
Even as a Christian, I confess there are times when I feel beaten down, tired, discouraged, and like I’m falling behind. Sort of like I could use some living water, some bread of life, and some light. And I don’t think I’m the only one who feels that way. But Jesus says Christians have those things because we’re his followers. Where’s the disconnect?
Those promises are tied to actions that need to be ongoing if we’re hoping to maintain the relationship. We have to come to Jesus, believe in him, and follow him. Sometimes I’m feeling off because I’ve been spending too little time in my Bible, in prayer, or with other Believers. Sometimes, I’ve let fear cloud my belief in God’s goodness and faithfulness. Sometimes, I’ve been downright disobedient, running one way when he asked me to follow him another.
The good news with any of those problems is that God is waiting to restore the relationship. All we have to do is turn back to him.
But another reason for the disconnect between the promises and my reality is my way of focusing too much on things I can see and feel in my physical body. I’ve been sick, and that is going to drag on my physical body. But even as my body struggles, my soul is quenched, satisfied, and light-filled by my relationship with Jesus–or more accurately, by his relationship with me. Why am I focusing so much on how I feel when I have Jesus’ promises about the state of my soul?
Christians, I hope you’ll join me in thanking God today for our relationship with Jesus, the One who will never leave us or forsake us. The One who quenches, satisfies, and lights our souls.
What verses remind you of the riches we have in Christ when you’ve begun to forget?
Love,
Your Sister
Photo credit: Unsplash.com by Rick Vos
Recent Comments