There was a scene in the movie, [many really but one in particular] which really stood out to me. Which really spoke volumes. A sweet God loving woman is having a conversation with her real estate agent about going to church and her faith. She asks her.. is your prayer life hot or cold? The gal says something to the reply "luke warm" not hot or cold. She goes on to explain how very busy she is and there just isn't a great deal of time for prayer.
When the two sit down to enjoy a cup of coffee together for which this sweet God loving woman serves her a luke warm cup, the real estate agent gasps. And expresses "this coffee is luke warm"... and the sweet little lady laughs. And goes on to share, not many people enjoy luke warm coffee and she would recon God preferred us not having luke warm prayer lives. Ahhhh yes
As the movie went on I found myself drifting back to that scene in the movie. How often have I been luke warm in my prayer time, luke warm in making time for God. Often. Very often.
This isn't something I have shared, but feel I need to.
Many who read this on a regular basis know that when I run I am "dating Jesus". I've not run since the second week in December. My reason... I was luke warm. I was going through the motions. I wasn't truly soaking in Jesus, I was letting Him join me on my runs. I could hear Him whisper, you aren't including me, you are just letting me tag along.
It was a difficult choice, because I love running, but a choice I made with a heart for God knowing I would be blessed with choosing Him. I needed to get myself right with God again. I didn't want Him "tagging along" I didn't want to squeeze Him in. I wanted Him THERE. I wanted to HEAR Him. I wanted to FEEL Him & I knew I wasn't. I was getting distracted by selfishness. By making it me time and not HE TIME. And so I made the decision to put Him first. And I did so with a heart desiring him and I have NO REGRETS!
My mornings have been filled with His whispers of encouragement and fulfillment. He has spoken promises over my life for which I may have missed had I continued on the track of ME and not HE. I miss running, but have found running to Him is greatly rewarding and He is speaking to me. He is encouraging me to rethink how I spend my time in Him and with Him. There isn't anything wrong with running and making time for me, but for me I truly need it to be less about me and I desire more Him.
It's easy when the weather is nice and I can run my road and feel Him all around me. It's more difficult when you are at the gym, outside influences everywhere, noise, people and static. He's working on this with me. I am learning to tune it all out when my desire is to tune in to Him. Running isn't the only time I spend with Jesus, I spend many hours with Him right here on my "prayer stool". I seek His words, His direction, His leadership, His blessings.
So when the scene in the movie came along, and I saw that sweet Godly woman look at me from inside my TV, I knew it was God. I knew He was saying THANK YOU. Thank you for making time for Him. For understanding "just" making time isn't what it is about. It is about quality time together ~ much like a friendship. I need to speak with Him and listen to Him. I need to pray with Him. I need to have relation with Him, not just allowing Him to occupy the same geography with me.
Thank you Jesus for reminders in my prayer life, in my walk of faith and in my daily journey ~ that all things are possible with you and when I put you first, I am putting it all in the order it should be. Thank you Jesus for seeding in me the understanding it isn't about squeezing you in or letting you tag along, but for nudging me and telling me to STOP and BE STILL in you. Thank you Jesus for a relationship so wonderfully blessed I feel your presents and I'm blessed by the gift of relationship with You. Thank you Jesus for speaking to my heart and reminding me what is most important in life..... running is important. But understanding the blessing when I run to you, priceless! Thank you Jesus for heating me up and setting my heart on fire for you.
Blessed indeed.