It had been a simple invitation, but an invitation nonetheless: “Do you want to go for a walk with me?” I declined it, however. I felt exhausted, and my body was fighting a foreign invasion of some kind of benign disease that was infecting my classroom. But the words kept repeating in my mind: “Do you want to go for a walk with me?”

Why did I say no? Yes I was tired, but how often do I get an opportunity to spend time with my wife during this hectic existence?

“Lord will you give me the strength?” I pondered.

And He did. As a result, last Friday evening’s walk was one of the best. Had I persisted in my obstinate refusal, I would have missed a golden opportunity of connecting again with my beloved wife.

Our relationship with our Maker is very much like marriage. In fact, the Bible is full of references such like these: “As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.” (Isa 62:5 NIV)

God hungers for time with us. Although we are the ones who turned our backs to Him, He is the One who restored our relationship though Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

Time with God! Why do we even neglect such opportunities? Why do we prefer to savor fleeting attractions that are far from satisfying to our real inner needs?

Just as my wife, God invites us daily to dine with Him.

“Will you dine with me? I would like to spend some time with you. Will you?”

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” ((Rev 3:20) NIV)

But so often we justify our sorry excuses.

Many of us still remember the time we spent with God, and it makes us hunger for more. It’s just like two lovers who can’t stand to be away from one another! Our spirits are hungering for more time with the Lover of our soul!

What happened? Is this why some addictions appeared in our life? Is this why our inner peace seems to have evaporated? Is this why our purpose-filled life has turned into a dull existence with numerous disappointments being the norm?

God has always been waiting for us, however. He is not the One who was driven away from us! This what God says about us, His children: “My child in whom I take pleasure! Every time I mention his name, my heart bursts with longing for him! Everything in me cries out for him. Softly and tenderly I wait for him.” (Jer 31:20 The Message)

Why have we been distracted by absurdity? Why are we not spending more time with the One who will not only deliver us out of our misery, but will fill us with inner peace, acceptance and real living! Eternity is at our grasp, but we seem to prefer the temporal. Have we become mad?

“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.” (Rev 2:4-5 NIV)

Why have we forsaken our first love towards the Lover of our soul? Are our excuses even worth contemplation? Isn’t it time we take a stand and declare: “Enough with this dull life! Enough with these temporal distractions that keeps me away from the One who dearly loves me! I will let Him break me free, and then fill my existence. Welcome to an eternity of blessedness!”

He is still patiently waiting for you, hoping you will accept His invitation: “Will you come dine with me?”

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire “Fearless Victory!” devotional series, please click here.)