Himself

God, in both the Old Testament and New, is always calling us to Himself. In Isaiah, He calls His people to "come, and let us reason together." In the Gospels, Jesus, in response to two of His disciples' questions, calls them to "Come and see." Then of course is His beautiful invitation to all who are weary and broken to "Come unto Me, all you who are weary and heavy laden." It is always to Himself that He calls us, yet we miss that truth so easily. Alicia Britt Chloe said, "We ask for angst dissolving answers; He offers Himself. We pray for peaceful paths; He offers Himself. We desire detailed directions; He offers Himself." We're missing that in our insistence on His giving us answers, or help, or deliverance from hard places, He offers us something far greater. He offers us Himself. We want rest, or peace, or strength, or joy, or answers, or deliverance. We miss that He is all of these and more. We want something He does or gives. He wants to give us Himself. How sad that we settle for so little of Him when He longs to give us so much more of Himself than we could ever imagine. We're missing the great truth that in all those things we see as threats, or needs, or fears, and in which we want His help, that they all must bow to His Presence. We miss that none of these could hold power over us when He is with us and in us in the fullness of His life. In Himself we find everything we could ever need or want, but we're missing that. In comparison, we're asking for cheap tinsel when we could have all the riches of the Kingdom that are found in Him. Somewhere in this day, week, month, or year, we'll be faced with need. In some places, desperate need. May it be that we don't just ask for His work, blessing, or answer. May we seek the best part, as Mary did when she sat at Jesus' feet. May we want nothing more or less than Himself. That is a desire that He will always fulfill. May it be fulfilled in us today. Blessings, Pastor O