This is the common theme throughout the scriptures from the beginning. Adam and Eve fell away from God's intent for their lives and they hid themselves. Their hiding was not a surprise to God even though He asked where they were. The key is that He walked toward them.
God sending His son into the world was a forever act of His movement toward us. He moves toward us in a way that invites us into a relationship with Him.
It goes on to say that His lovingkindness draws us to Him and that everything good comes down from Him. His goodness bestowed upon us is His way of moving toward us. The goodness reflects Him. This goodness and beauty stir us to discover more which begins the bases of a relationship. God desires a relationship with us that is set for eternity and is discovered daily.
I think about those who I have longed to have a relationship with. These are people that I have moved towards with the desire to connect, know deeper, understand, discover, and be blessed by their presence in my life. I know of some that didn't want this type of relationship and so kept their distance and stayed aloof even after pouring so much towards them. Yes, these were hurtful and sad for me, but the need and desire were not reciprocated, so I had to move on.
Could it be that God does this toward us every day? He continually is moving towards, through, and around us, in the midst of life's circumstances. This is the thing. He doesn't force His hand in making us have a relationship. He made the Way through Christ for all to have a relationship with Him. "Whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." It is a whosoever gospel but it is not a forced relationship.
Who likes a forced relationship? I have had relationships with co-workers that were daily endured for the common good, but outside of the duty, there was nothing more. God's desire is not for us to have a dutiful relationship with Him. He would say countless times in the scriptures that, "they honor me with their lips but their heart is far from me." It is not dutiful, but relational, and relationships start and stay in our hearts. Out of the relationships I have for others, I desire to do for...those I love and cherish. I do not "do" because I have to, but I desire to bless. Could this be for God as well? I believe so.
God desires us so He blesses us. He rains on the just and unjust. We do what He says because we desire to bless Him and please the One we love. This movement is a desire to bless and not to curse.
May the Lord Bless you, keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26
He is moving toward you.
Peace,
Rob
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