Hey God, Can We Talk? I Want to Be Closer to Youနမူနာ

Day Two: Being Purposeful in Connection

When we study Abraham, we see that he made decisions to grow closer with God through his conversations and actions. This reminds me about the intentionality of cultivating a deepening friendship with our dinner couple, the John­sons. We happened to meet the Johnsons during a family vacation on a cruise ship. At this time, I was under a writing deadline, so I wasn’t able to spend much time with them. However, we were able to join them for some dinners. When we returned to Denver, we agreed to continue to grow our friendship. 

From this decision, we have developed a really vibrant friendship. Over the course of several years, we have shared vulnerable needs, enjoyed meals, laughed a boatload, and enjoyed great fellowship together. Through many transi­tions in life, we have prayed for each other, been supportive and encouraging, and have provided helpful wisdom and a safe sounding board for each other. None of this happens without being purposeful.

Such purposeful engaging is what God does with Abram in Genesis 15 when He speaks with him about gathering together several animals. God’s conversation with Abram is expressed through the covenant activities described in this chapter, and they are all initiated by God. Abram responds by collecting the animals that God specifies, slicing them in half, and protecting them from birds of prey. As the day wears on, Abram falls into a deep sleep and has a dream where he sees a smoking oven and flaming torch going between the animal halves. In this dream, God makes a covenant with him in which He promises Abram both the land where he was living and future offspring.

It is noteworthy to me that all of this happened because of God’s initiative. We must realize that God is initiating a deep­ening relationship with us—not the other way around. We are responding to God’s continual initiatives. He is beckon­ing us to experience His loving-kindness. He gives us grace, wisdom, and strength, invites us to a deeper relationship with Him, enters our daily living for fellowship, and connects with us! 

Reflection: Look back on your life and take an inventory of where you have seen God working and moving. Were these events initiated by you or by God? How would you respond to these events today?