Imagine this. You're in a relationship with someone you absolutely love. You tell them and show them you care for them deeply any chance you get. You make time for them, even if it's just to thank them for being who they are. However, as time goes on, you lose focus on what used to matter so dearly. Sometimes you miss their attempts to reach you. Other times you're too tired at the end of the day to talk to them and let them know you appreciate them being there. You love this person, but you haven't showed them in a while. They let you know they care, but you simply don't feel like you can put forth the effort you used to. They're speaking to you but you cannot seem to hear them anymore.
How can any relationship like this thrive? If you're like me, you may be thinking that a relationship like this is simply dying. A relationship cannot thrive without the effort of all parties involved. There have been many times in my life I've had to self-examine myself as the Christian I've identified myself to be and realize that my relationship with Christ isn't what it needs to be--isn't what it really could be. A lot of times Christians are led to believe that if we just believe in Christ, if we just know that He died to save us, then we're set. Now we can live our lives anyway we want to because He gives us free will, right?
Without a relationship with Christ, how can we truly call Him our Savior? God is not a babysitter; he doesn't simply sit back and watch us live our lives without directing us, shepherding us and guiding our steps. Yes, there is no doubt we're given free will. But His will is that we will learn to do His will without even thinking twice. Our free will eventually will become doing His will. Sometimes we learn the most from our mistakes; it's been during the darkest times of my life that He shined His light the brightest for me to follow. It brings tears to my eyes knowing what He's brought me out of--and most of the time I wasn't even willing at first. I had to be brought to my knees before He could carry me.
I admit that as a Christian it can be hard to be motivated to do the things I know I need to do. So many times we can be self-critical: I'm not powerful, or I don't have enough self-control to make these changes. God takes our problems and makes them into lessons. If we're willing to tell Him we trust Him enough with everything--the good, the bad, the shameful--He will transform us and make us into the people He sees fit for us to be. We all have a purpose in His eyes, but it becomes more difficult for that to be fulfilled when we don't allow Him the relationship He so desires with us to develop.
I know my love is flawed. I can have the best relationship with someone, but my love can never be perfect. Something I've gotten into the routine of praying is for God to help me to love as He loves me. I know I can never love someone in my life the way Jesus loves them, but I pray He can help me to love as deeply and unconditionally as I can. However, if I don't have a relationship with Him, how am I supposed to learn to love others and have the relationship with them that will bring God the most joy?
If you're struggling in your faith, whether it's because you've gotten out of the habit of talking to God, or whether you believe you're not strong enough to be a Christian, just know this. God is inside of you. Changing your life isn't a matter of believing you can do it or not; it's a matter of believing God will change you. It's a matter of putting your trust in Him, not in yourself.
Psalms 34:18-19The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
