“Watching my little buddy today and he found my Prayer Journal, and as all three year olds do asked, “What is was?” Told Him it is where I write letters to God. Very seriously flipping through the pages he asked, “Does He ever write back?”
A friend of mine posted the above on facebook a few days ago. Her “little buddy” is a 3 year old named Logan. He is an adorable little cutie that thinks of my friend as a grandma. Isn’t it funny what kids say? Little Logan hit the nail on the head.
He sent us the first love letter 
Thinking about this, I have to say how blessed we are – we already have His letter! He wrote it long before we were born and left it for us to read while He’s ‘away’. Imagine treating a love letter from your significant other like you treat the Bible. Some of you will be able to bow out here, but most of us struggle to keep in the Word, reading it, studying it, learning it, and especially applying it. We often have the urge to do so, but we let life get in the way. If we really valued this love letter, sealed in the blood of Jesus Christ, we would have a passion that cannot be denied to be in it with every second we could. Instead, how many can raise their hand to say, “I often have to make myself read the Bible.” (Or, my Bible is seldom cracked open, much less read.) But God commendeth His love toward us….(Rom. 5:8)
Intentions
We often have good intentions, especially after a particularly good sermon, after a revival, or after some other thing lights our fire for the Lord. But it doesn’t take long for the flame to burn out. We go back to not doing anything because we’re too ‘busy’, or we trudge along, dragging one foot after the other to do our ‘duty’. We even want to do it sometimes, but habit takes over and relegates the love letter to the bottom of our ‘to do’ list.
The Helper – NOT!
One issue is lack of commitment. Another is lack of discipline. I’m sure there are many more, but there’s also the fact that the enemy, Satan, does NOT want you to read it. He does not want you to stay close to the love of your life (yes, I mean God). He is a deciever, but he’s a clever deceiver who makes the counterfit look really good. One thing my dad always used to tell us when we couldn’t sleep: “Pray, read the Bible, or witness to the Devil, you’ll be asleep before you know it.” Sadly, that is true.
Passive Christianity 
Christianity is not passive. It is a vital relationship with God, and it requires sacrifice and work to maintain. Just like marriage relationships, one must work at it. In a passive marriage, the couple will drift slowly apart and wake up one day wondering what happened to the marriage. It’s the same with our relationship with God. He gave us a passionate, detailed love letter for us to read while He’s “away”. What would you think if you gave your sweetie a love letter and he/she just said, “Oh, that’s nice,” and tossed it in a drawer unread? Passive Christianity is not Christianity at all.
Passionate Christianity
Instead of passive Christianity, it is imperitive that we move to passionate Christianity. Treat the Scripture like the valuable love-letter it is. Seek to get as close to God as you possibly can and then put things in place that will help you get there. It will require discipline; it will require sacrifice; it will require an intentional life, given over to your Love. Remember back to the first time you fell in love? You wanted to be with the person all the time. If you couldn’t be with them, you were together on the phone. Love letters were cherished and read and reread and put in a special place. The pulse skyrocketed when he/she came in sight. You get the picture. If this is not your relationship with God, it’s time to get that love letter out, caress it, read it, study it, reread it, memorize it, treat it like the priceless treasure it is.
Are you passionate about God and the things of God?
Are you passionate about your Scripture reading/study/etc., giving it top priority instead of letting it collect dust all week?
Do you want to please Him or do you just do the minimum requirements to call yourself a Christian?
What are some steps you can take to go from passive Christian to passionate soul-mate of almighty God?
Was there a time when you had more passion for the things of God than you do now? What happened?
Jan 10, 2012 @ 06:16:38
Does God ever write back? I love it.
He writes all the time, I tend to be busy and miss the mail.
Jan 10, 2012 @ 10:17:02
HA HA HA HA! That’s a great way of putting it. His fingerprints are everywhere, and we just complain that the fingerprints are all over instead of seeing His hand in our lives. Thanks for stopping by. Angie
Jan 11, 2012 @ 02:47:10
Yes he does. In more ways than one. Wrote something about it a while back – http://wp.me/p23WzJ-3C
Jan 11, 2012 @ 15:36:52
Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to leave a few words. Thanks for the link. I will check it out. Angie
Jan 11, 2012 @ 23:50:52
Sad to say, I lost my passion a long time ago. I’ve been on a slow simmer for years. But the good news is that even though we fail Him He never fails us. Every day He leads in one way or another. He is faithful and true, patient beyond our understanding, and everlasting. A Father above all fathers and a Savior true.
Wonderful post Angela:)
Jan 12, 2012 @ 16:08:10
Thank you, Elizabeth. Yes, He is faithful. I keep that verse about His mercies being renewed every morning where I see it first thing in the morning. I hope you have found your passion again. The closer I get to Him, the more I have to marvel that He wanted (wants) to have anything at all to do with me. I am just grateful He does. God bless. Angie