Of course, there are many who will make resolutions to improve themselves in some way during 2012. Surveys have indicated that most resolutions don’t make it past the month of January. Today I offer you ten secrets to guaranteed success:

1. Don’t personalize your goals. Simply read one of those New Year’s articles in Sunday’s paper and use that as your goal-making guide. Better yet, just ask your friends what their goals are and resolve to do the same. Just think of all the time you’ll save.

2. Don’t write down your goals. Not on paper. Not on your computer. Not on your bathroom mirror. Nowhere at all! Before a week has come and gone, you’ll have forgotten any of these silly little dreams and can get back to being the same ol’ you that you’ve always been.

3. Don’t be realistic in your thinking. Shoot for the stars! Don’t settle for  just a little self-improvement. Go all out and aim for a total life transformation.

4. Don’t pace yourself. Accept no waiting! Do you really want that perfect body in 30 days? Then flip on the TV and order the latest, greatest gadget from one of those overnight infomercials. They really work. Plus, you almost always get a free gift or two if you ‘order now.’

5. Don’t believe in yourself. Adopt a ‘No I Can’t’ mentality.This is a well-kept secret of some of the most successful people in the world. For example, if you really want to drop some pounds, just say ‘no’ to every temptation that comes your way. Not one Hershey’s kiss. Not one potato chip. Not one carrot dipped in extra Ranch dressing. Ever!

6. Don’t set a deadline. By keeping your options completely open, you can be your own judge of progress made toward your goals. In six months’ time when you haven’t really seen any change at all, you can honestly say you haven’t failed but are just waiting to identify the perfect moment to break out of your rut.

7. Don’t tell anyone about your goals. Not. One. Soul. Once people know your business, they tend to lord it over you acting as your moral and spiritual compass. They’ll ask how you’re doing . . . remind you of your target . . . encourage you — and maybe even pray for your success. You certainly wouldn’t want anyone interfering like that.

8. Don’t do anything too hard. Simple is often better. Keep breathing. Keep eating. Keep sleeping. Basically don’t attempt to do anything a cat wouldn’t. Success is sure to be yours.

9. Don’t evaluate your progress or adjust your goals. Of course, if you follow #2 carefully, then this one will be a real piece of cake.

10. Don’t ask for God’s help. There’s what . . . seven billion people on this rotating rock called Earth? Surely He wouldn’t be interested in you. Do everything in your own power, and just think of the boasting you can do at the end of the year.

OK, so maybe you’ve picked up on a bit of sarcasm in this post. Someone once said that they weren’t making resolutions for the new year because last year’s resolutions were as good as new. Don’t let that be your testimony. I encourage you to take some time to identify just a few areas in which you’d like to see some improvement. Even if you haven’t fully specified your goals as of January 1, a few extra days of sincere and thoughtful planning will likely pay big dividends in the long run.

If you’re serious about making some changes in this new year, then I wish you all the best. Aim for S.M.A.R.T goals: Specific, Measurable, Action-Oriented, Realistic, and Time-Sensitive. Remember that moderation is preferable, and accountability is almost always essential.

In closing, consider these powerful and familiar words from the Apostle Paul:

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:12-14, ESV

May God richly bless you and your family in this new year of life.

IT’S YOUR TURN!
What are some things you wish to improve upon in this new year? What are the biggest challenges to reaching your goals?

While there are still several weeks left in this calendar year, one thing is certain: This has been a year of dramatic changes. From political uprisings and civil unrest to record-setting weather patterns, 2011 will leave an indelible mark on this world. With all the negative news coming at us ’round the clock, it’s sometimes hard to focus on the good things.

America has long been the ‘land of plenty’ — or, you might say, the ‘land of excess.’ You have to wonder what the early settlers to Plymouth Rock would have to say about the way we live. After all, those folks — who, according to H. U. Westermayer, constructed seven times as many graves as huts — still saw fit to set aside a time to give thanks to God. These Puritans were arguably the most impoverished Americans ever, yet they acknowledged God as the source of their blessings. They understood the art of thanksgiving.

In this time of persistent protests and rowdy upheaval, there’s a lot of talk about ‘the  99-percent.’ I contend that pretty much all of us constitute the one-percent . . . at least figuratively speaking. Consider this:

Americans are some of the wealthiest people in the world, with a very high GDP per capita. Americans are top in the world for most material possessions. The number of televisions, vehicles, and other such products per person are considerably higher than in any other country. For instance, the United States has some 754 televisions for every thousand people. No other country is even above 700, with Japan being closest at 680/1000. [Source: economicexpert.com]

While Americans don’t necessarily blow every country out of the water, particularly when you consider the long hours so many of us work, we as a people are undeniably blessed. Even with higher-than-usual levels of unemployment, continued home foreclosures, and rising costs of living, for all intents and purposes Americans are indeed blessed. One thing is generally true about tougher times: We are forced to evaluate priorities, strengthen relationships, and develop character — and hopefully a much deeper appreciation for God.

This Thanksgiving, consider yourself blessed if any or all of the following statements are true for you:

• You have food, clothing, and shelter.
  Nearly two billion people in the world live in poverty.

• You can read and write.
  Nearly 15-percent of people age 15 and up cannot. (worldwide)

• You are gainfully employed — part-time or full-time.
  Millions even in America do not have jobs. (Consider yourself especially blessed if you enjoy your work.)

• You have reasonably good health and access to healthcare services.
  Many around the world do not.

• You have family who cares about  you.
  I recently read about a man who lost every member of his family in an earthquake in Turkey.

• You have at least one close friend.
  Loneliness is becoming more and more common even in our seemingly connected culture.

• You enjoy physical safety and security.
  Many people live in constant fear of crime or terror attacks.

There are so many other ways by which we can gauge our blessings and quality of life. For me personally, the one thing for which I am most grateful is my relationship with Jesus Christ, who took my sin and shame and died for me that I might enjoy abundant life on earth and eternal life in heaven with Him. Everything else really is gravy. If you don’t know Him, I’d love nothing more than to share that gift with you. Feel free to contact me.

I pray that your season of thanksgiving would not be all about a day on the calendar. I pray that you will acknowledge your blessings all year long — as well as the One from whom all blessings flow. Discover the art of thanksgiving. It can be truly life-changing.

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Here’s a quick video that says a lot in just 80 seconds:

IT’S YOUR TURN!
What are you thankful for this year?

Don’t you just love it when God speaks to you through the most seemingly insignificant and every-day, run-of-the-mill stuff of life? I do — regardless of whether it’s a message I really want to hear. Something about those revelations just speaks to my heart as if to say, “Garrick, you belong to Me, and I care enough about you that I don’t want you to miss this!” The God of the universe in just a matter of a few seconds delivers a generous helping of knowledge that one can’t help but be a bit blown away.

I don’t know about you, but there are certain tasks around the house that I enjoy more than others. If I’m completely honest, I tend to let a lot of little things slide — especially when I’m consumed by the details of major projects at the church. One of the tasks I find myself ignoring is that of replacing light bulbs. For some reason our cars and our house love to eat light bulbs. Whether it’s tail lights, headlights, incandescent lights or fluorescent ones, we get plenty of opportunities to change bulbs in this household.

Well, one day last week I came in to find that not only was one of the long fluorescent bulbs out, it was also broken. This happened to be a fixture that I quite honestly know very little about. Michelle and I looked at it for a while but couldn’t figure it out. Not all that consciously, I kind of put that little project on hold — you know, waiting for just the right time when the moon and stars align and the family and work calendars are completely in sync. Like that ever happens. As a result of that decision — a.k.a., bad choice — we had to leave the kitchen light off all weekend. It wasn’t too big of a deal. We just used the light over the eating area as our sole source of light. I guess you could say that there was ambient lighting in the actual kitchen, but I’m not sure a Vent-A-Hood light and that wimpy little light on the fridge qualify for mood lighting.

Fast forward to Tuesday. I came in from the office, knowing I’d have just enough time to watch a little news and enjoy dinner with the family before heading out to puppy training class with Maggie. When I entered from the garage and stepped into the house, I was nearly blinded by the light in the kitchen. It seems that while I was slaving away at the office, the ‘light bulb fairy’ paid a visit. She apparently found a do-it-yourself video on YouTube to guide her through the process of fixing the broken light and installing the new bulbs.

Now you know how it is when you replace a bulb. It always seems brighter because you get used to it being a little more dim. But when I came in on Tuesday afternoon, the kitchen was lit up like the sun at high noon! I told Michelle that our kitchen now has better lighting than the operating room during my last surgery. You see, not only had we become used to the lesser light from the broken bulb, but we had also failed to notice that another part of the light was burned out.

As I thought about this today, I just kept feeling God say to me, “This is how your life is when you leave Me out . . . when you put Me on hold. You just get so accustomed to the dimly-lit room that you fail to notice the crumbs, the stains, the debris from the chaos of your busy life.”

I’ve never really felt convicted by a light fixture before — and I’m pretty sure that’s not exactly the source of my conviction now. But God used this little every-day matter to grab my attention. Several life applications come to mind. Failure to take immediate action when we realize there’s a disconnect between us and God can have profound consequences:

• We risk minimizing rather than resolving the problem. This is a trap that comes in the form of rationalizing the problem or pretending that it will just magically take care of itself with no energy or effort from us required. The truth is that in time our kitchen was only going to get darker, making everything more difficult.
• We risk adapting to rather than responding to the situation. Such passive adaptation can be purely the result of indifference. However, left unchecked, it can prove dangerous and costly. Things could easily go from misreading a spice bottle to severely cutting a hand.
• We risk settling for less rather than expecting His best. So many of the ways God blesses us are directly related to the way we prepare our hearts. In the case of a poorly lit kitchen, it wouldn’t take long to experience a really bad-tasting dish, all because we misread the recipe.

Genesis 1:3 says, “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” (ESV) God wants us to have light both physically and spiritually.

Whatever is causing poor visibility in your spiritual life, let this be a reminder to do whatever it takes to get back on track now so you won’t have to pay a much higher price later. God has given us the Word to illumine our path — and has put the light of Christ in our hearts. May we never ever get comfortable living in darkness when He has called us to shine with His marvelous light.

If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s Brandon Heath’s very cool video of his song, “The Light In Me.”

IT’S YOUR TURN!
What is God teaching you lately through the ordinary things of life?

This post from one of my favorite bloggers, Michael Hyatt, gave me pause to think about my own time management skills. And although most would consider me a pretty productive guy, I must confess that there is much room for improvement. Obviously our daily routine should be focused on those things that are truly legitimate priorities. Too often, however, I find my limited hours eaten away by problems resulting from the poor planning of me or those in my family or on my staff team.

Michael, of course, emphasizes the importance of a simple daily to-do list, along with scheduled breaks throughout the workday. However, the point that hit me hardest was the one about multi-tasking:

Do one task at a time. Multi-tasking is, at best, over-rated. At worst, it is a myth. Instead, you need to focus. Starting, stopping, and switching tasks before you finish costs you time, energy, and productivity. Instead do one discrete task from beginning to end. Check it off your list and then go to the next task. After a few of these, you will feel the momentum build.

The fast-paced nature of our world really has conditioned us to be diligent in multi-tasking. If I’m totally honest though, my reality is that I seem to always be multi-tasking. Even during personal conversations with others, if I’m not careful, I can become very distracted by my own internal self-talk, which constantly reminds me of those uncompleted to-do items, those phone calls to return, and the errands I need to run.

Then there’s my love-hate relationships with Facebook and Twitter that also gnaw for a portion of my time. Without some very clear boundaries, I can easily make it to the end of the day absolutely exhausted but having accomplished very little that was supposedly important enough to make my to-do list.

Here are five practices I’ve found that help me stay focused and productive:

1. Shut the door. I have my office door open much of the time because I want to be accessible to people. However, there are times when the task at hand requires my full attention and ability to concentrate without distractions.

2. Disable the sounds on the cell phone. Sometimes that means putting my phone on ‘silent’ mode. Other times it means disabling the sounds that notify me of incoming emails and/or text messages. I’ve found that most people these days much prefer to communicate via text and email so that they can exchange information without feeling that they’re disturbing the other person — and probably so they don’t get their own schedules tied up with small talk.

3. Let your calendar reflect your priorities. I routinely block off portions of my calendar for family events (i.e., school plays, occasional lunch with my wife or kids, etc.). I also block off portions of my calendar to focus on research, study, and preparation for teaching, speaking engagements, or leadership development opportunities. During these important times, my office door is usually shut, and my phone is in silent mode. (Obviously, my ministry assistant knows it’s OK to interrupt me at times — like when the pastor needs to see me or my kids are sick.)

4. Be willing to get away. Sometimes the demands of life and ministry really mount up. Interruptions, while often providing ministry opportunities, can undermine my ability to stay focused. Occasionally I find it helpful to just move to a different place to get some work done. Sometimes that’s at my house. Sometimes it’s at the park. Sometimes it’s in a secluded area of the church, away from phones, emails, and drop-in visitors. Let’s face it: Whatever doesn’t get done during your time in the office will invariably find its way into your time at home. And that robs you and your family of much-needed quality time together.

5. Be committed to taking a regular day off. Taking a regular day off not only sets a clear boundary for others, but it also models a leadership example that lets those on my team know that rest, relaxation, and family time are vital to our personal health and growth. As an added bonus, the promise of a regular day off provides a light at the end of a chaotic tunnel that can offer hope during our busiest days.

IT’S YOUR TURN!
What things do you do to help stay focused and productive at work?

Michelle really enjoys watching almost anything on HGTV. She has a love for houses — and a keen eye for interior design. Every now and then we encounter a house that has a history. An obviously bad history. Sometimes the damage seems only slight — perhaps needing fresh paint, new carpet, or just a deep cleaning. Other times the damage is absolutely overwhelming. We’ve seen homes with faulty plumbing (and subsequent water damage), buckled floors, trashed walls, broken windows — and that’s just in the first half of the house.

Sometimes the problems are due entirely to neglect. In others, a very different story is told. In one particular case, it was clear that the previous occupants had lived together during a nasty divorce. If walls could talk . . . well, the holes in them did.

The question for the prospective buyer is a big one indeed: Where in the world does one begin to repair the damage? The options are seemingly endless, and the amount of time and money required are hard to conceive.

The same is true for ourselves — on a spiritual level. There are times when we get off track. The slide begins with a lack of attention to daily time with God (usually paired with a rationalization of recurring sin), and it proceeds to sporadic church attendance and almost non-existent personal worship. One day we wake up and realize that we are completely disconnected from the community of faithful believers that once was so vital to spiritual health and growth. A similar question begins to emerge: How does one begin to repair the damage?

The answer is perhaps not as hard as you might think. I suggest a four-step approach:

1. Be honest with yourself — and with God. Take some time to think through the reasons for your getting out of sync spiritually. Incidentally, this may require a serious evaluation of your true spiritual condition. If you’re trying to be a ‘good Christian’ in your own power, then you’re way off base. Remember, we’re saved by faith alone — but our actions bear witness to His transforming work in us.
2. Commit to begin again. Everybody needs a fresh start every now and then. Fortunately, the Lord’s mercies are new each morning. He constantly pursues a love relationship with us, and He will gladly help you as you re-engage by doing the things you know you should be doing. Identifying past barriers and obstacles to your spiritual growth can help prevent another such slide.
3. Find someone to help you. I absolutely can’t emphasize this one strongly enough. While your relationship with Christ is a personal thing, you need to realize the necessity of having others to help you. I encourage you to find a couple of solid Christian friends (same-sex, if you’re married) to hold you accountable, particularly in the areas where you’re prone to struggle most. And by all means, make sure you’re involved in a Bible study class or small group that provides an opportunity for fellowship with other believers.
4. Follow through. Realize that nothing you think about doing will be helpful until you actually do it. So many times it’s easy to identify trouble spots — even obvious solutions — and then get distracted by something else. And to be quite frank, Satan is counting on you not following through — or being sidetracked by things of the world. The reality is that only you can decide whether your relationship with Christ is really priority in your life. I happen to believe the old saying is still true: “Jesus has no place in your life unless He has first place in your life.”

IT’S YOUR TURN!
What are some other things that help you get back on track when you falter in your spiritual life?

A number of churches and small groups across the country will join this event live where they are, thanks to the miracle of modern technology. Platt has held ‘Secret Church‘ for several years, and it has now become part of the disciple-making DNA of this local church. Held twice each year, Secret Church continues to draw people from all over the country — so much so that overflow seating is necessary on-site. This in-depth time of Bible study, worship, and prayer is intended to help us identify with the many Christ-followers who meet in secret all over the world — not so much out of fear of persecution as devotion to Christ.

For the first time, LifeWay Christian Resources has partnered with Platt’s mission organization, Disciple-Making International, to make this experience available on a whole new level.

Why would a church-going American want to give up six hours on Good Friday night to participate in this event? That’s the basic question I’ve heard ever since announcing that my own church would host this event. With that in mind, I offer these five reasons to participate in Secret Church:

1. You will be exposed to the vast lostness in this world. Most Christians in America live in a bubble. We live busy lives that intersect with our own churches at many points. Consequently, we often find ourselves surrounded by people who are, for all intents and purposes, just like us. Secret Church will give you an opportunity to see and hear how other believers live out their faith.

2. You will be challenged to re-evaluate your priorities in light of Scripture. Many Christians in America are every bit as self-centered as those who do not belong to Christ. We routinely argue over such trivial things as music styles, ministers’ clothing choices, and the temperature of our multi-level church buildings. We spoil ourselves with the latest and greatest gadgets and complain if a worship service goes a few minutes longer than anticipated — yet wonder why the presence of the Holy Spirit is not sensed more often and more deeply.

3. You will be compelled to know and appreciate God’s Word. Most Christians in America possess several copies of the Bible — but don’t read it regularly. In fact, a 2009 study by the Barna Research Group found that Christians are largely apathetic when it comes to regular reading of Scripture. Still, each year thousands of bibles are smuggled into nations such as China, where there is a deep hunger for the Word of God. David Platt’s love for the Word drives his missions mentality and heart for evangelism and will no doubt anchor his teaching on Friday night.

4. You will be convicted to pray more fervently for the persecuted Church. We have a responsbility to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters — and to share in their sufferings just as they share in the sufferings of Christ. I can think of no better time than Holy Week to pause and reflect on the price Christ paid for our sins. He was persecuted. He suffered. He was killed mercilessly on a cross that was meant for you and me. All this, and yet so many church-goers wouldn’t want Secret Church to get in the way of their weekend holiday plans.

5. You will be emboldened by believers who risk everything because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Persecution of Christ-followers is real, and Christians in America need to realize that fact. So often we take for granted our ability to gather freely to worship and study God’s Word. This is a stark contrast from the reality of millions of believers around the globe. In fact, 100 million Christians live in areas where they face persecution on a regular basis. 400 million Christians live in places where there is threat of persecution. Though perceived as a long shot at present, the fact is that our country could one day become such a place.

Just think what God could do if only a handful of people at churches all across our nation got radically serious about their faith! Renewal? Revival? Restoration of the Church as ‘salt and light’ to our culture and context? All that and more is possible, if we live out what we say we believe. I don’t know about you, but I’d insist on being a part of such a movement of God.

In Radical Together, Platt writes:

True faith in Christ inevitably produces great work for Christ, not works fueled by the flesh in an attempt to earn our way to God, but works fueled by faith in a life that is abandoned to God. And all of it is by grace.

Wherever you are — and whatever you have planned — I hope you will consider making the Secret Church Simulcast part of your Easter weekend. Who knows? It just might be a catalyst for helping us get more serious about living the abundant life Jesus wants us to have — and sharing His message and love with others.  Click here to find a simulcast location near you.

New Year’s Resolution Guide
                                       
IT’S YOUR TURN!
Do you make New Year’s resolutions? If so, how do you keep on track toward your goals? If not, why not?

Upon waking up at 7:45 a.m. yesterday, instead of my usual ‘Good morning’ greeting to my wife, I simply said, “I’m gonna throw up.” And I did. Unfortunately, that set the stage for a less-than-ideal holiday. The kids enjoyed opening their presents and seeing the things that Santa brought. Michelle cooked up a coffee cake, a fresh batch of party mix, and a birthday cake for Jesus — which, as it turns out, I was really not able to eat.

I’d have given anything to have felt better on Christmas Day because I really wanted to enjoy my family to the fullest extent possible. Since we had no family or friends visiting, in spite of all the decorations and preparations, Christmas became just another opportunity for Michelle to singlehandedly parent the children — while I lay in bed, just trying to stay warm.

Of course, perspective is important and, I think, key to understanding life. The reality is that despite my sickness, we are still among the most blessed people in the world. Consider this:

• While we were enjoying our traditional minestrone soup on Christmas Eve, millions of people around the world went to bed hungry. Again.
• While we were opening an exorbitant number of gifts, all beautifully wrapped, millions of people around the world had nothing at all to open.
• While we were contemplating whether to keep or exchange that less-than-fashionable piece of clothing, millions of people around the world struggled to stay warm.
• While we were reading the Christmas story from the Bible, millions of people around the world had never held a Bible.
• While we were in our comfortable, climate-controlled and elaborately decorated homes, millions of people around the world were among the growing homeless population.

The truth is that most Americans do not just live in excess; we are absolutely spoiled rotten. The other truth is that, if I’m totally honest, I usually don’t see the vast needs of others in the world — because I choose to not see it.

It’s not comfortable.

It’s not real.

It’s exaggerated.

As I think forward to the year 2011, I am determined to look at the vastness of needs around me. I’m determined to lead my own family to leave their comfort zone and be part of the solution to the problems in this world. I’m determined to be less focused on my needs, my wants, and my comfort, and to focus more on the many practical needs of others.

More than festive, lighted decorations . . . more than a five-star Christmas dinner . . . more than pausing just for a few minutes to think about Jesus’ birth, it is following Christ’s example of humility and selflessness that most glorifies Him — not only at Christmastime but throughout our lifetime.

So, rather than harping on the fact that I was sick on Christmas Day, I choose to thank God that I had a warm place to stay, food to eat, a Bible to read, and a family to love.

I am blessed among men in more ways than I could ever begin to count. And I choose to be grateful for His blessings on me and my family.

It’s Your Turn!
On what things in life do you perhaps need a new perspective?

I took a few minutes of my time and cast my votes in the 2010 mid-term election. It truly didn’t take more than 10 minutes, and apart from phone calls, letters, and emails to our elected officials, it’s the ONE thing every one of us can do to make our voices heard. My prayer is that by exercising this right, we can say good-bye to many of those ‘representatives’ who for the past several years have shown an increasing antipathy for ‘We the People’ whose votes put them in places of power. I wouldn’t go so far as to speculate that this election is America’s only hope, because we know that with God all things are possible. However, I do believe that our country is on a trajectory that will lead to absolute ruin — socially, morally, and financially — if some major changes don’t begin to happen quickly.

Still, whether you think like I do — or whether you’re one of the ones who thinks everything in the US is just peachy — I urge you to exercise your right to vote. It’s a right that has been secured by the blood, sweat, and tears of generations of Americans. And it’s a right that, if not protected, might someday be taken away.

I know, you’re just one little person in this big ol’ country. And while that is true, I still believe that one person can make a difference. Regardless of the weather, regardless of your energy level, regardless of the fact that in many cases we really do end up choosing the least stinky of the two or three candidates — get out and vote! Make a difference today.

As Edmund Burke so wisely put it, “The only thing necessary to the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”

IT’S YOUR TURN!
Do you still believe that one person makes a difference? Why do you choose to vote — or not vote?

There are so many things in life that cause us to feel rushed, harried, torn in a million different directions. There are people who place demands on our time and energy. There are causes for which we feel passionate. There are projects to complete, lists to check, calls to return, emails to read . . . and on, and on, and on.

I’m finding it particularly true that in these hectic days, if I’m not careful, I can find myself getting my priorities all out of whack. I respond to the demands of those who are loudest — not out of genuine care and concern, but rather, to simply get them to stop talking. I find myself allowing the naysayers and chronic complainers to have my ear more than those I claim to love the most. I find myself feeling guilty when the typical 24-hour day doesn’t allow enough margin for me to take action with regard to those causes that tug steadily at my heartstrings.

Yes, life in the 21st century moves at light speed. Unfortunately, if I’m really, really honest, I must admit that sometimes my struggle to adequately manage my time not only short-changes my family . . . it also short-changes God.

There. I said it.

I’m a full-time minister at a church . . . working hard to help others connect with God, and yet somehow even I fail to adequately connect with Him. Sure, I know He’s there . . . just like the friend or neighbor at Wal-Mart who I acknowledge with a mere wave or nod. But I’m busy doing something else. I see Him calling . . . just like that other person who’s always phoning, texting, or emailing — never seeming to get the clue that I’ve got important things going on. I hear Him attempting to get in a word with me, just like my kids when I’m on the phone . . . or visiting with someone who happened to catch me on my way out of the church.

Why is it that the One I say I love the most is also the one I put on the back-burner until the right moment comes along?

It’s probably just me. Most of my readers are pretty solid Christian people who have their act altogether. They manage their time well. They have their priorities in the proper order. They always give God first place and never ask Him to wait.

The good news is that God doesn’t hold grudges . . . unlike the ‘best friend’ I may have dissed. God doesn’t seek retribution for my immaturity or downright disobedience. He doesn’t hover over me like a parent whose child made a really bad choice. Rather, He waits patiently for me to make time to connect with Him in a personal, meaningful way. He forgives me for my inattention to our relationship. He accepts me just as I am. He delights in the time we have together, whether long or short. He’s the perfect picture of patience, kindness, and love. More than all that, He makes me a better person for the time I spend getting to know Him and following His example.

And I am . . . well, me. Guilty. Self-centered. Wholly undeserving of such a Friend.

Just for today I pray that the words of this song would paint a picture of my heart’s deepest desire:

Jesus, draw me close,
Closer, Lord, to You.
Let the world around me fade away.
Jesus, draw me close,
Closer, Lord to You,
For I desire to worship and obey.

Jesus, thank you for being a friend to sinners like me. Help me this day to take the time to be with You and know You more fully. Amen.