Drawn In

Posted: December 22nd, 2011 Category: Christianity

Why do you suppose that some of the smartest people we know don’t believe in the need for or the possibility of developing a personal relationship with God? It’s reasonable for many to conceptualize God, to intellectually justify the need for God, even to envision God as an institution to visit every so often, but going further requires something yet undiscovered for this large body of humanity. Those who’ve seen or experienced the kinds of broken-ness which they are unable to fix are more inclined to be open to a God who has otherwise been largely intangible for them. Without specific needs, any proposed solution is superfluous. As Grandpa used to say, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Beyond that attitude, the problem for many is that God remains misunderstood and seemingly in the way of a life already lead. It isn’t superior intellectual reasoning or logic at work here, it is God!

Jesus told us; “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.” (John 6:44 NIV). How does God draw His prospective children to His Son? God’s ways are as numerous as days in eternity or grains of sand in a desert. The important key here is that He does do this. When the wind blows, unless it’s literally knocking us to our knees, we pay no attention. In a crisis filled world, one more event is too easily ignored as we myopically continue to negotiate the forward passage of our time. How can God grab and hold our attention long enough for us to become familiar with His voice and clear on His counsel? As another old saying goes, first He must get our attention. For those paying attention this is easy, for everyone else it’s generally painful. This phrase, heard so often during adolescence by nearly everyone should be a clue for us, “How many times have I told you this … “? We aren’t inclined by nature to listen, quite the opposite, we’d rather learn something ourselves (the hard way) than be taught it. At some point in life this is true of even the most compliant among us. When faith alone becomes the critical buy-in, our independence is a force which only God can reckon with. Finding the Lord at a Christmas party would be wonderful, but so is finding Him any time. Christmas parties come once a year, the rest of the time is our more likely avenue of intersection. Whenever we see a collision coming or happening for those nearby, we should help them to know that God may be knocking, to draw them more toward His beloved Son.

JC Calkins with COMMON SENSE 4 UNCOMMON PEOPLE