Up Close and Personal

 

I've ridden many horses since my first ride with my father.  I was only a few weeks old at that time.  I've kept records of horses I have trained and/or shown for many years.  None of those horses were the same.  Each had individual characteristics that made them unique.  The only way you can truly get to know a horse is to have him live in your care.  Then you can learn his barn habits, how he eats, what he is like in his stall, what his temperament is, how he gets along with other horses, what he is like to shoe, to clip, to saddle, etc. 

 

When you ride him, you find out how he moves, what his mouth is like and how his sides feel.  You can tell if he is spooky and afraid of things or if he is calm and quiet.  You learn many things that you could never know by just looking at that horse or hearing about him. 

 

Trey and Makenna King have come to live with us for a few weeks.  Trey is 3 and Makenna is 1.  I've been around them many times.  I knew some things about them, but now, I am getting to know them up close and personal. 

 

Trey loves bacon - Makenna won't eat it.  Trey likes to get up about 9:30 or after - Makenna wakes up before 7:30.  trey wants his face and hands clean - Makenna could care less.  Makenna wants every door and every cupboard closed - Trey likes them to be open. 

 

Trey likes to be dressed up - Makenna likes to rip her diaper off and throw it in the garbage can.  Makenna says "thank you" when she wants something - Trey says "please".  They both like to play together, drink juice and take long bubble baths.  I am coming to know more about them daily. 

 

The point of this devotion is this:  You cannot know a living being - up close and personal unless you experience them on a steady basis.  When you are around them continually, you experience their personality.  You become aware of their habits, their fears, their likes and dislikes, their attitude and characteristics that make them unique and individual. 

 

It takes time and effort to develop what is known as a relationship.  Your relationship deepens as you spend more time together.

 

I meet people who know their horse better than they know Jesus Christ.  Some do not understand how to have an up close and personal relationship with Him.  Some do not see Him as a living being.  He is!  You can come to know Him just as you come to know a person or a horse.  I repeat:  It takes time- your time.  It takes effort - your effort. 

 

Jesus Christ stands ready to have a relationship with you.  He says:  "Look!  I have been standing at the door and I am constantly knocking.  If anyone hears me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him and he with me."  Revelation 3:20  TLB  He not only wants to save you, but He wants to have a life changing, ongoing relationship with you. 

 

You open the door - He comes in                                               Rev. 3:20

You ask - He gives                                                                        Matthew 7:7

You seek - He helps you find                                                       Matthew 7:7

You read His word - He gives you understanding                     Psalm 119:73

You call - He answers                                                                   Jeremiah 33:3

 

We can be like Moses.  He knew the ways of God.  Or, we can be like the Israelites who only knew about the acts of God.  Psalm 103:7 KJV   We can know His ways.  We can know Him simply by asking.  Psalm 25:8 says:  "The Lord is good and glad to teach the proper path to all who go astray; he will teach the ways that are right and best to those who humbly turn to him.  And when we obey him, every path he guides us on is fragrant with his lovingkindness and his truth."

 

Start this week to deepen your relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  Don't wait until there is a crisis and then try to get to know Him in a hurry.  The day we live in is producing many people who hurt.  The deeper you become in your relationship with Christ, the broader your ministry will become to the people around you.  It is a win-win thing.  No way to lose.  Spend some extra time getting to know the one who saves and wants you to KNOW Him now and forever and ever and ever.