I am so excited to write today’s blog. Like most everyone else, we are on lockdown; so, I have been writing—or editing to be exact. The manuscript is ready for the editor. I may ask for assistance in reviewing a few pages in order to gauge the interest in it.
I ran across a verse—one that has been read a hundred times before—that speaks so profoundly to a close personal relationship with the godhead. It is found in the New Testament Gospel of Mark. Jesus is speaking to the people using stories; Mark records it this way. “He was never without a story when he spoke.” (The Message) The next part shouted to me as I read it. “When he was alone with his disciples, he went over everything, sorting out the tangles, untying the knots.”
Oh my goodness, what a beautiful picture of a close personal relationship with God the Son. Jesus sat down, taking the time to go over the insights his stories provided. Can you imagine Peter—a puzzled look of totally not understanding—saying, “I don’t get it.” Jesus—chuckling—says, “all right, let me explain it to you this way.”
I like the image these words paint. Have you ever untangled a bunch of rope, or untied a knot? It isn’t a quick process. It takes time to determine the right way to twist the rope in order to untangle it or loosen the knot.
A close personal relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit takes time to develop, but equally important, the time spent is supposed to be slow and meaningful—like untying a knot, or untangling a rope. The time spent with the godhead takes time—slow, patient time.
An old hymn speaks about coming into a garden to spend time with the Lord. The verses unfold a meaningful, thoughtful relationship that includes walking, talking, singing, and sitting. The last verse talks about the length of time with the Lord—all day. This is important to understand. A close personal relationship is a relationship built slowly over time; it is alive and growing. You may start with an awkward few minutes, but you grow to spending comforting hours together.
This should offer some encouragement. You might be in the “awkward few minutes” part of a close personal relationship, but you are in a relationship. If that is the case, be encouraged for what lies ahead. You could be further along in your relationship with God; be encouraged—and patient—for the joyous times that await you. Perhaps it will help to remember this portion of the Bible in the Gospel of Mark; “When he was alone with the disciples, he [Jesus] went over everything, [taking time to] sorting out the tangles, untying the knots.” Wow, what a beautiful picture.