My
Heart’s Living Room
“Enter with
the password: "Thank you!" Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
Thank him. Worship him.” Psalm 100:4 (Message)
Most of us
struggle in one way or another or at one time or another with nurturing a personal
relationship with God. If we’re
honest, our concept of a spiritual walk is what happens during the time you
attend a church service. To use building
terms, we learn to “sub-divide” our week into the spiritual and secular.
In our traditional minds, spiritual things happen on Sunday morning
while secular things happen Monday through Saturday. But God is interested in being part of our
everyday lives. He wants to build a
relational time with us. But too often,
circumstances of life put a cramp in our style.
We then begin to falsely believe we are not capable of growing in
Christ.
We are
looking at the “Living Room” where our relationship with Christ is formed and
spiritual growth occurs. In Robert Munger’s, My Heart, Christ’s Home, the Living Room generally
symbolizes a place of relationship. In t
our home life, it is often a place for family, friends, relaxation, Christmas
and more. If you have a Living Room, it usually has been a place where you have
experienced times of fellowship.
Here is what
Robert Munger writes. “We walked next into the living room. This
room was rather intimate and comfortable. I liked it. It had a fireplace,
overstuffed chairs, a sofa, and a quiet atmosphere. He also seemed pleased with
it. He said, ‘This is indeed a delightful room. Let us come here often. It is
secluded and quiet, and we can fellowship together.’ Well, naturally as a young
Christian I was thrilled. I couldn't think of anything I would rather do than have
a few minutes with Christ in intimate companionship. He promised, ‘I will be
here early every morning. Meet me here, and we will start the day together.’ So
morning after morning, I would come downstairs to the living room and He would
take a book of the Bible from the bookcase. He would open it and then we would
read together. He would tell me of its riches and unfold to me its truths. He
would make my heart warm as He revealed His love and His grace He had toward
me. These were wonderful hours together. In fact, we called the living room the
‘withdrawing room.’ It was a period when we had our quiet time together. But,
little by little, under the pressure of many responsibilities, this time began
to be shortened. Why, I don't know, but I thought I was just too busy to spend
time with Christ. This was not intentional, you understand; it just happened
that way. Finally, not only was the time
shortened, but I began to miss a day now and then. It was examination time at
the university. Then it was some other urgent emergency. I would miss it two
days in a row and often more. I remember one morning when I was in a hurry,
rushing downstairs, eager to be on my way. As I passed the living room, the
door was open. Looking in, I saw a fire in the fireplace and Jesus was sitting
there. Suddenly in dismay I thought to myself, ‘He was my guest. I
invited Him into my heart! He has come as Lord of my home. And yet here I am
neglecting Him.’ I turned and went in. With a downcast glance, I said, ‘Blessed
Master, forgive me. Have You been here all these mornings?’ ‘Yes,’ He said, ‘I
told you I would be here every morning to meet with you.’ Then I was even more
ashamed. He had been faithful in spite of my unfaithfulness. I asked His
forgiveness and He readily forgave me as He does when we are truly repentant. ‘The trouble with you is this: you have been
thinking of the quiet time, of the Bible study and prayer time, as a factor in
your own spiritual progress, but you have forgotten that this hour means
something to me also. Remember, I love you. I have redeemed you at great cost.
I value your fellowship. Now,’ He said, ‘do not neglect this hour if only for
my sake. Whatever else may be your desire, remember I want your fellowship.’ You
know, the truth that Christ desires my companionship, that He loves me, wants
me to be with Him, wants to be with me and waits for me, has done more to
transform my quiet time with God than any other single fact. Don't let Christ
wait alone in the living room of your heart, but every day find Him.”
God is
interested in having more than a one day a week time with you. Rather, he wants to have daily time with us. Our
relationship with Him will not grow very deep…any more than a one day time with your spouse will grow you
deeper. We can “Prime the Pump” by
practicing it daily.
1) First, Listen To His Love Letter To You
(Psalm 119:41)
Psalm 119:41
says, “May your unfailing love come to me, O Lord, your salvation according to
your promise…” In other words, when I read your promises, I experience
your love.
2)
Second, Practice His Presence With You
(Psalm 66:20)
When
we pray, we are able to experience God’s presence. Psalm 66:20 says, “Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His love
from me!”. God releases His love
when we talk to Him.
3) Third, Give His Grace Through You (2
Corinthians 4:15)
An
important principle of life is, if you want to multiply something, give it
away.
We understand that from farming.
Take seed and plant it. You will
reap more than you gave. Give grace
away and watch God’s grace come to you.
Has Christ
been allowed in your Living Room lately?
Are you practicing times of relationship building? The truth is, the Living Room experience can
happen in your car, at your work, at the coffee shop, or with a friend. When you let Him in your living room, you’ll
find Him living big in you.
Terry
Risser
Reflections:
1) How was your living room time with Christ
this past week?
2) What can you do to allow Him in through
other ways this coming week?
Consider reading the Word today:
Copyright
2014- Terry Risser
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