PrintThere is something about the energy or enthusiasm in human relationships that is subject to the law of diminishing returns. For example, in the marriage relationship, romance needs to be cultivated and nurtured. Failure to do so will see the energy diminish and finally dissipate.
I wrote recently that the great need of the Church (in the western world, at least) is for a fresh revelation of God (click here). As I pondered that conviction, it occurred to me, as part of that Church, that the greatest need in my life is for a fresh revelation of God.
I am not a romantic. I wish I was. Nor am I very spontaneous. I wish I was. These realities are evident in my relationship with my long-suffering wife. They are also evident in my relationship with God. Predictable. Reliable. Constant. These are some of the words that are most often used to describe me.
Now let me be clear here; I am not advocating an approach to these relationships that requires us to live in a constant state of high energy spontaneity. I find that people like that exhaust me. When they leave I breathe a sigh of relief. Besides, I have noticed over the years that those high energy people seem more prone to burn-out.Then again, I guess they look at someone like me and feel concerned that I am more prone to rust-out!
Yet, despite that disclaimer, there have been times in my relationship with my Heavenly Father when the sense of intimacy was so real that I could refer to it as "romance"; it was just that precious. Back in 1987 I returned home from a six-day conference that God used to re-align my whole life and ministry. The worship in the conference had put me in touch with a dynamic that I had never before experienced. The teaching of the conference opened to me a new understanding of the Kingdom of God. As strange as it may sound, I was in love again!
At that time I had been involved in pastoral ministry for just on 20 years. But now my life and ministry received a renewing touch from the Lord. My wife was the first to recognize the difference. At that time and for some time after I would place my hands on her and pray for her as she went to her work as a nurse at the local hospital. Bev would tell me how loved and secure she felt as I prayed for her protection and that she would be a credible witness with her patients.
I don't do that anymore.
The Church that I served at that time also saw the difference in their Pastor. And they liked what they saw. Well, most of them liked what they saw!!There was a small number who were intimidated by what was happening in my life. Most of our people expressed a hunger to join me on this new journey.
But that was then. This is now.
Why can't then be now? What happened between then and now?
I need to come back to those questions in my next log entry.
