Time For A Relationship Check with God

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." -Will Rogers

Have you stopped to think about your relationship with God lately? I mean, have you really taken the time to just do some serious thinking about it? If you have, do you like the direction it's going? Are you happy with the way it is, or do you think it could use a little work?

There are some Christians who never seem to improve their relationship with God. They might languish where they are. They remain dependent on others to keep them motivated; requiring constant nurturing to keep from falling away, or becoming apathetic. 

Many things can be considered "high maintenance." For example, there are cars that require a great amount of attention to keep running. Many employees require close supervision to do their jobs right. Some significant others require a heavy dose of gifts or dates to keep from losing interest. 

Is this you? Have you in essence become a "high maintenance" Christian? Do require lots of attention from others in order to keep faithful? How about lots of coddling, or pampering to remain active? 

When you first became a Christian, starting your new spiritual life, chances are you were high maintenance. There are some lazy, "high maintenance" Christians out there who only work when someone prods them on. Yes, even some churches can be considered "high maintenance!" I refer you to the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 3:1-4; 2 Corinthians 12:20-21).

Now, it's not all bad. Some "high maintenance" is good and necessary, as in the work of the local church (e.g., help for the new Christian, or the hurting Christian). But, when it exists where it shouldn't, then there can be some real problems (e.g., new Christians not being helped, because others expect pampering, or the sick and dying being neglected, because others require attention). 

Certainly, there are times in our spiritual lives when we all require some high maintenance. However, to avoid keeping it from those who really need it, we should give serious thought and effort toward overcoming "high maintenance."

We know that as newcomers to Christ we're going to be high maintenance. That just goes without saying! But, somewhere along the line we should get to the point where we don't need it anymore. In other words, we make the transition from needing "support" to becoming "supportive" of others. We reach this point through individual growth.

Early on, we get our strength from fellow Christians who help us along when we need it. But we should also reach a point where we receive our strength from God. This is where we become the producers, as opposed to just being consumers. I refer you to the apostle Paul in Philippians 4:11-13; 2 Corinthians 1:3-6.

In closing, I'm not trying to discourage "high maintenance" when it's truly warranted (Galatians 6:2; Romans 15:1). I simply want to challenge you to think about your service to Christ. I want you to reflect about your work in the kingdom (Galatians 6:4), and whether you're carrying your own load, or not (Galatians 6:5).

Scripture: Revelation 3:16; Romans 12:11; Proverbs 15:19; John 5:39-40; Hebrews 11:6 

Prayer: Dear God, on those days when I find myself starting to drag and fall back; please give me a little nudge to remind me that you're there to help me keep on. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Makinzie