There is a cry repeated throughout scripture and one that is voiced numerous times by the Son of God himself. Jesus says,
“Come to me.”
Here are just a few instances where this is found in the Bible: Isaiah 55:1-3, Matthew 11:28-30, numerous verses in John 6, Revelation 22:17.
I wonder if often we, myself included, fail to do just this. It is as if we are happy to do things for God, to talk about “God stuff”, to read books about God, to sing and listen to songs about God, to even speak to God. But do we take the time to actually come to him? What would that look like if we did and how would it be different? And what does this mean in practice?
I was reading the following verse in the book of John this week,
‘Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”‘
John 6: 35
As I was thinking about this, I asked Jesus what it meant. My experience has been that of someone who hungers and thirsts for God. So how is this to be? And I felt Jesus say rather obviously, to be fair, that we must “come to him”. That the problem is so often that we, that I, fail to do just that. That all the information about him, all the knowledge, all the songs, books, and activities are not enough. For they cannot replace the practice, sometimes even the discipline, of coming to the lamb of God himself and sitting at his feet, hearing his voice, looking at his face and worshipping him.
I wonder if I sometimes complicate things. If I start to think what matters is what I do, what I read, what I say and what I believe. If I get so caught up in the doing that I fail to do that which is most important. And then I fail to hear Jesus’ invitation, and I forget to come and sit with him. To be present with him.
A year ago or so God spoke some words to me, he said,
“All that is mine is yours.”
This seemed like an odd and incredible thing for him to say, but at the same time, I knew this was from the Bible. However, I did not know where. Perhaps your recall is better than mine, but I find Google invaluable in these instances. For, It turns out, it is found in the parable of the prodigal son. Right at the end of that parable the Father says to the older son,
“You are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.”
Luke 15: 31
This phrase has echoed in my mind and heart over the past year. I am always with my Father, with my Lord and Saviour, I am indwelt by the Spirit. I need to recall this often throughout my day, for this knowledge grounds me. It tells me that I belong and I am never alone. What an incredible gift we have been given!
So today, let us come to Jesus, sit at his feet, listen to his voice and rejoice in his presence.
Dear Jesus, we so often get caught up with many things. Even many good things, and we neglect to spend time with you. Forgive us. Help us to remember, help us to hear your call. And help us to make the time to come and be with you today. Amen
How about you, do you find this easy to do? Do you need to be reminded of this? How do you make the time to do this in your day?
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