Psalm 139

Lent is all about taking time to stop and examine our relationship with God. Having a relationship with God means that we ‘know’ God. And, for the record there is a difference in ‘knowing’ God and ‘knowing of’ God. Many of us, I would dare say, fall into that later category. We tend to think that having a good relationship with God is quite complicated. I don’t know why this notion exists. Yes, a relationship with God requires some work and intentional effort on our part … but doesn’t a relationship with anyone take effort? Or maybe it exists because we can’t just outright physically see or hear God when we ‘talk’ to God. Honestly, though, having a relationship with God is really quite simple. While God certainly is God and deserves that respect and reverence, I think it is okay to think of having a relationship with God as being just like having a relationship with your best friend, your parent, or your favorite teacher! And the even better news is that God desires a relationship with us. Scripture tells it. God designed us with a God shaped hole inside that can only be filled by this relationship! Nothing else can fill or satisfy that God shaped hole, by the way! It’s actually quite a cool thought … we were designed to have a relationship with God! God knows everything about us and loves us regardless! This is awesome news. Having a relationship with God requires that we make a commitment to God and we must trust God to see that commitment through. We must also show up and maintain regular contact with God (a.k.a. talk to God and thank God) … this simply means to pray and participate in worship. Also, we must be good listeners! Since we can’t outright hear God face to face, we must listen for God’s messages to us through other people and events, through reading Scripture, through nature, and through just about any other means God uses to reach us! Finally, having that relationship with God requires us to serve and love ALL others ALL the time! Psalm 139 is all about one person’s relationship with God – David’s! Pull out your Bible and read it or click here to read! In this Psalm, David comes to God being very open and honest and laying it all on the line! This beautiful poem shows us that God wants to have an intimate, serious relationship with us! Hopefully they are words that you can (or will be able to) identify with and make your own in your relationship with God! And the most excellent news is there is nothing we can do to screw this relationship up! There is no way, no how, no nothing that would ever make God stop loving us and desiring this relationship! Amen?!