Personal relationship with God

In any culture there are phrases and idioms that tend to 'stick' with that people in a persistent way.  Some of these are good and helpful, some are not.  Being a Christian, one of those phrases that clings to the western evangelical mindset is (brace for it): a "born again Christian".  What is perturbing about this particular idiom is that it is redundant even while some who use it suppose it to be helpful and clarifying.  The reality of this instance is that you MUST be born again by God's Spirit to be an authentic follower of Jesus.  Thats what Jesus taught.  Its like introducing water as 'wet'.

Another such phrase that I find curious in its use is when someone gets a microphone and talks about a "personal relationship with God".  Again, I understand the intent is to be clear and emphatic that in following Jesus there is something authentic with God under way. 

"I want someone who is so stinking in love with God to find those microphones and unload in words an ache and desire to be with God which is so strong they are lost without Him and don't care if they look stupid for the longing."

I think we could make much better use of such occasions is my point in this post.  Something much more distinctive and impacting, that portrays the reality of a life touched by Jesus.  I want someone who is so stinking in love with God to find those microphones and unload in words an ache and desire to be with God which is so strong they are lost without Him and don't care if they look stupid for the longing.  Every once in a while you bump into a person who is in the "fellowship of the burning heart", a person who knows they were lost and without hope and became aware that God has pursued them diligently and at a deep cost.  And in their turning to Him they found True Love.  Not a polite how-do-you-do but a Zealous One who literally went through hell and death to arrest and turn back the corruption of humanity that we might be able to truly love by finding we are loved to this degree.  One who insists that life is defined by knowing Him.  Not a theological equation, but a Person.  Not principles, but God who became a Man forever.  Not good works, but a Jew who rose from the dead and even now lives and speaks and moves.

So where are these love-drunk extremists?  Maybe you've seen these people and heard their groanings.  If you find one, you should sit with them and rub your hands together for warmth in the emotional outraying of their desire for Him.  (Trust me in this: its contagious should you get past your cynicism and want for other things).  They have been wounded by Love and unsettled in their dissatisfaction for anything less.  Its love, its love, it is love.  There is a statement in the movie 'Shakespeare in Love' that is made this way:

"Love knows nothing of rank or riverbank! It will spark between a queen and the poor vagabond who plays the king, and their love should be minded by each, for love denied blights the soul we owe to God!"

This Jesus evokes such a response, when seeing Him as He is.  Its what the evangelist John Wesley meant when he said, "I set myself on fire and people come to watch me burn."  To deny Him your love, dear reader, truly blights the soul you owe to Him.  A love that is all-consuming, a desire to please Him above all things... not in the sight of men per se, but to live your life consciously before Him forever.