The Long Haul

It’s raining outside the camper this morning.

I’m sitting here having a cup of coffee and Mary and the dog are sleeping on the sofa. Normally Mary would stay in the house while I journaled. I felt like she just wanted to be close to me this morning. I’m glad she’s here. Sometimes having someone you love close by makes all the difference. Consequently, when we are apart I long to be with her.

Mary and I can have this intimate relationship because we work at it.

However, true love requires a lot of work. if I just did “my thing” and did what made me happy I can assure you that we would not be together for the long haul.

I feel the same way about my heavenly Father. It gives me peace and comfort knowing He is close by. But, again if I was to do “my thing” that peace and comfort would be non-existent.

James 4 verse 8 sums it up quite nicely.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts you double-minded. Like I said, true Love takes a lot of work.

The first step to draw near to God is through repentance- cleanse your hands you sinners.

Next we need to purge ourselves of unrighteousness- purify your hearts you double-minded.

Now that we have the stumbling blocks out of the way we can have a closer relationship with our Lord and Savior.

It probably goes without saying but our relationship with our spouse is totally dependent on our relationship with God.

Do you long to be with your spouse? Have you gotten the stumbling blocks out of the way? Let’s recommit to draw close to God and stay the course for the long haul.