I began this Lenten journey like most with the desire to grow in my relationship with God. But what I was shown and taught went a whole lot deeper.
First thing I learned was that in any relationship, with a spouse, children, family members, friends, colleagues and whomever I desire to get to know better. I would need to ‘SPEND’ time with them. In other words I would need to invest some precious time in order that I may build up my relationship with them. And by doing so on a regular basis, and with God’s grace I am able to build intimate bonds with them.
So it is with building a relationship with God, I need to spend time with Him, getting to know Him and experiencing Him in His Word. I would need to spend quiet time with Him in prayer, and stay alert listening to Him and being in His presence. To heed Him as He told His disciples, ”Could you not stake awake an hour with me?” Matt 26:40
Now here is where it gets deeper, to grow in my relationship with Him does not end in building it in Him or with Him alone. I need to grow in my relationship with His Body, in other words with my brothers and sisters in Christ! Not just my immediate family, but my Church community. Not just the ones that I love, but the ones I don’t love as much or at all. And how do I go about doing that? Well like in the very beginning, I need to spend time with them; learning and growing in faith with them.
While there is certainly room for improvement and further growth, I praise and thank God for allowing me to grow in my relationship with Him, my immediate family and my family in Him during this Lenten journey. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Amen
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