You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last…
John 15:16
I realized something after returning from a couple of weeks in rural Iowa. We live fast-paced lives in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago! Everyone seems crazy busy with home, work, kids, life, etc. We are constantly on the go getting things done.
I’ve also noticed we don’t like to wait. We want instant gratification. Ours is a results oriented world. Too often we fall into the trap of being too busy, looking for instant gratification in our relationship with God. We want to discover a shortcut to getting closer to God.
The problem is there is no short cut. In fact, the opposite is true; there is no substitute for taking time in developing your relationship with God. Each spiritual discipline that deepens our walk with God takes time.
We need to slow down, dig in deep, and take the time necessary to connect with God. It’s worth our personal investment to see His lasting fruit in our lives.
Have you taken the time necessary? Are you close to God? Take this test. Ask yourself if the people closest to you would say that you have qualities of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control active in your life? (Galatians 5:22, 23)
Don’t let the summer pass without drawing closer to God. Take the time you need this week to connect with God.
