That is often the way we value our everyday lives.
But that should not be how we value our relationship with Jesus Christ. We should not value our prayer time with the measure of reward-effectiveness-result. Did prayer lead to the healing of this person? Did prayer help me get the new job I wanted so badly? Did prayer mend the relationship with my spouse? Our prayer should be a gentle time of conversation with God. Something that cannot be valued by what we get out it.
We should not value our time of worship by the measure of reward-effectiveness-result. Worship should not be valued by how we feel nor by how we think God feels, nor by how other people may feel. Worship is a time spent in exuberant, quiet, joyful, reflective, praise of God the Father and Creator, Jesus, Son and Redeemer, Holy Spirt, sustainer and companion.
And finally, if we love God we love others as well. We must not value other people by the measure of reward-effectiveness-result. Whether for us, for them or for others. People are best cherished just because they are.
This is so true. If we were to treat time w/one another as we treat our time w/God, we would be thought of as shallow, selfish, and scheming. So often we sit and listen, intent on what one another is saying, yet drum our fingers when quietly sitting w/our Father. Or we go to God in prayer w/only request of Him rather than personal time. Would we dare do that w/a friend?
ReplyDeleteThank you for this 'point to ponder' today, Bob.