It’s kind of a mind-blowing concept to realize the God who created the earth and every thing and everyone on it wants to spend time with us… even me?!
As a married man (with no children yet) who spends a lot of his time alone at a desk, one little guy keeps me company more than any other earthly being — a little guinea pig named Chewie. My wife and I picked him out and took him home in the Spring of 2005, and he’s been wreaking havoc and spreading love from his tiny little caged world ever since. This year, Chewie seems to have developed even more of a personality and even more unique habits than I’ve ever seen in a small pet, let alone from a guinea pig. Now, when I sit at my desk for the first time each day, he’ll often be eating or sleeping (ah, the life!), but after a short while, he will run to a side door of his cage that faces my side of the desk, stand up against it, and wait there for a few moments to see if I’ll notice him. I usually do, and when I open the door, he remains standing at it, waiting for some attention and affection from me (photo of Chewie at the open door). Recently, when I opened the door one day to pet the little guy (who purred like a kitten with great contentment), another simple Biblical life lesson slapped me across the face (figuratively, of course) and reminded me — HE just wants to spend time with me (and… you!).
A devotional by Charles Stanley that I just read on Sunday brought to mind the scripture in Revelation 3:20 where Jesus says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Stanley points out in his writings that in no other religion/belief system does God seek us out. It made me feel rather ashamed that I tend to take that for granted. And sure, a cute furry little guinea pig has grown attached to me enough to stand at his green wire-framed door and wait for me to stop widdling away at JFH responsibilities and show him a little attention… but the God of all creation is doing the same thing? Waiting for us to drop what we’re doing, sit at Daddy’s feet, and just spend time with Him? Wow.
Even as I’ve worked harder at spending more time with Him in a little quiet time every day, the amount of time does tend to vary by circumstance and day, and it can be discouraging to feel like I fall short and put Him on the back burner some days when I get too busy or the routine shifts or whatever the case may be. Recently, a dear friend brought up a similar concern to a mentor of ours at Bible study, who kindly reassured her that God will always be there — will always welcome us back. Like the story of the prodigal son, and in really any real life situation where you have a spouse or friend or child who is too busy for you one day, you’ll still welcome their company if and when they try to give it the next day. Rest assured: Jesus will always welcome your time and attention… but we can’t take this for granted. We need to make time for Him. Whatever the cost.
Hopefully that will encourage some of you. Go sit at His feet today!