Relationships are built. Love too. But love takes a lifetime.
She
worked one office over from me. Little did I know she was on the way out
of a decade long abusive relationship. When I discovered she would soon
be available, I began planning how I would woo her. As it turned out, I
didn't have to do much wooing-she took care of it. She baked goodies for
me-ones she was trying to sell to raise enough money for her down
payment on a necessary surgery. They say the way to a man's heart is
through his stomach-and she marched right on in.
Less than two
years later, we were married. That was almost eleven years ago, and I
love her more today than I did then. She is my best friend, my
supporter, and my greatest cheerleader. Where I go, she goes, and where
she goes, I follow. We are still working on getting closer and building
our love.
According to the psalmist, God is only a whisper away
from those who call on Him. We must come by way of confession and
repentance initially, but thereafter He wants to be involved in every
detail of our lives. And will if we'll ask.
Building a love
relationship with God takes a lifetime-just as it is with my wife and
any other important person in my life. If I take the relationship for
granted, it will turn sour, lose its vibrancy, and eventually grow cold.
As I nurture my relationship with my wife, so I must do the same with
the connection I have with God.
Talking to God is essential. If I
never talked to my wife, things would go south in short order. Pray
without ceasing was the apostle Paul's advice. God is with me all the
time; I just need to be aware of His presence, ask His advice, and seek
His direction.
Occasionally, I'll write my wife a love poem. She
loves them, and I always get a big hug and sloppy kiss. God also wrote a
love letter He wants me to be intensely familiar with. Time in His Word
is vital in building a love relationship with Him. His Word instructs,
warns, encourages, and comforts. All things a love letter should
accomplish.
God wants to get close to You; He's merely waiting on
the invitation.
Martin Wiles
Hodges, South Carolina, USA
