Like many of you, I enjoyed praying with my children before bed when they were young. One night, it was four-year-old Isaac’s turn. He used to pray for our family, our neighbors’ pets and church members – by name! So, you had to be seated comfortably because he would take his time! That special night, Isaac was very joyful, and at the end of his prayer he said, «Lord, I’m so happy and so blessed, and the only thing I want to do is send you a kiss!»
I wanted to tell Isaac, «Sending kisses to Jesus is not part of the prayer.» But I didn’t say anything.
I went to my bed reflecting on what he had said, and I realized that the relationship between Isaac and Jesus was so close that he believed he could kiss Him. I realized also that I’d never had an expression like that toward Jesus.
My prayers were more informative as if I were giving a report or sending a memo like, «Thank you, Lord, because Your presence was so evident in our worship time;» or «Lord, please heal this person;» or «Please bless our church plans.»
I received answers to my prayers, but still my relationship wasn’t like Isaac’s with Jesus. At some point in my life, I had lost it. So, I found a passage that talks to me about this:
«Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evil doers!'» (Matthew 7:22-23 NIV)
When I read this passage for the first time I thought, «I want these guys on my team!» They could preach and perfom many miracles and drive out demons. Not many can drive out demons. But because they could, they came to give their report just like I did: «We did this; we did that.»
The Lord responded to them, «I never knew you.»
As a pastor’s wife, I have done many things for my Lord. I led worship; I taught Sunday School; I was very involved in missions; and I also cooked tacos for a bunch of people! But at the end, all that really matters is whether or not the Lord knows me.
I love this passage because I discovered that nothing is more important to the Lord than getting to know me through my own words. He is eager to know us! He wants to know everything about me.
In her book Simply Praying, Patsy Lewis invites us to «open your heart» to Jesus, so I did. I realized that I share my testimony with everyone except Jesus. He saved me, but I never talked with Him about it again. After several years I wanted to tell him what that day meant to me so I prayed:
«Remember that day, Lord? I was six years old, and I was in my Sunday School class.»
«To be honest with You, I don’t remember what the lesson was about. The only thing I remember is that I could not wait to invite You to come into my heart. Do You remember, Lord? Do You know me?»
In that moment my room was full of His presence, and He responded to me, «Yes, I know you; you are Mine!» These were the most beautiful words I had ever heard! He enjoys remembering good times with His people because that is what friends do. I started to recall when He called me to His service and joyful times we had together. Since that day, my way of praying changed.
Probably you spend a good bit of time in a Christian environment or working hard for our Lord, but that means nothing if you don’t have a real relationship with Jesus. Today, we need to remember that we must put the Word of God and prayer first before all work that we will perform. There is so much to do for the Lord! Is it not true? But in these opportunities, God warns us about the danger or going before him with hands full of projects successfully performed without having engaged in a personal relationship with Him.
I like to think of God as the doctor who asks me some questions after receiving the results of my exams; «Do you eat well?» «Do you work out?» I’m sure He knows the answers, but Jesus wants me to tell Him everything because that is the way I will become aware of my situation. He wants to heal me, advise me, comfort me, known me. He wants to have an intimate relationship with me like my son Isaac sending kisses to Him.
Etiquetas: 1, cocina, iglesia del nazareno, Inspiracion, Motivacion, oración, Prófuga de la cocina
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