Is Your Relationship with God Only One-sided?

How would you describe your relationship with God?

Wonderful ~ Growing ~ Mediocre ~ Disappointing ~ Unfulfilling ~ Confusing ~ Stagnant ~ Non-existent*?

Here’s one HUGE fact that can change your relationship drastically:

Relationships are two-sided

Duh! But when was the last time you thought about God’s side? Could it be that your interaction with God is not what you desire because you are only looking at yourself? Poor relationships result when one or both parties are focused only on themselves.

Whether a relationship is good or bad depends upon both parties.

Perhaps you’re involved with someone right now who’s completely self-absorbed and oblivious to you. If so, then you know a little bit about how God feels when His children do the same thing to Him!

In an ideal relationship, both sides give their all: a 100-100%, not 50-50%. God’s contribution to us is always perfect and complete; 100%. (If you doubt that look at the cross.) Ours? Not so much.

Of course, God understands that we are faulty and will always fall short ( Ps 78:39; Ps 103:14). That’s why He sent Jesus. He is understanding, compassionate, and patient. Nevertheless, although we cannot relate to Him perfectly, He wants us to move in that direction; having a heart after His own heart; desiring to make Him happy as well as desiring for Him to make us happy.

Doesn’t God deserve that? We don’t deserve His mercy and grace, yet He gives that to all who are willing to receive them. He is holy, pure, righteous (=always doing right), and good—we are not. We have it backwards!

We think we deserve the best in life when in reality it is God Himself who does. He is the One deserving honor and glory.

This truth has revolutionized my relationship with God! And it will do the same for you—if you apply it.

How do you change your relationship with God from being only one-sided?

Here are a few suggestions:

  • Read, believe, and act on what God says in His Word.
  • Ask Him to change your perspective as you interact with Him; to live with a God-focus instead of a me-focus.
  • When you read His love letter to you (the Bible), think how you can respond back in love.
  • Find out what pleases Him, what would make Him smile (Eph 5:10).
  • When you don’t understand something, ask for His point of view—the big picture. After all, He is omniscient and you’re not!
  • Humble yourself. Realize that He is the One that should receive first consideration.
  • Concede to His desires, not yours. God’s way is best!

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.(Ps 37:4)

Your needs will be met—your Father God promises!

This mindset will enable you to live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way (Col 1:10). Mutually loving and pleasing one another leads to a blissful relationship. Such sweet fellowship with your Creator is available to you.

Taste and see that the LORD is good. (Ps 34:8)

God gives and gives and gives. He gave the most precious gift of all—His Son as a demonstration of His incalculable love for us. How could we not think about Him and respond back in love?!

Until next time, my friends, You can trust God to do His part perfectly. Will you strive to reciprocate? Will you start thinking more about the Lord instead of just yourself? When you do, you’ll be able to describe your relationship with God as sweet, exciting and vibrant!

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Mat 6:33)

If you’d like to delve further into this topic please check out my first book, Our Knowable God: Learning How to Relate to Our Invisible Lord.  

*If you do not have a relationship with God or not sure if you do, click here.

 

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