As Stan and I left the restaurant after breakfast one morning, a car went by on Grand Avenue.
There was a honk and the driver waved. Stan waved back, but the car didn’t stop.
“Who was that?” I asked.
‘That’s a fellow I used to get together with just about ever morning, the same way you and I do,” he replied.
Continuing, he added,“I haven’t seen or heard from him for several months. I didn’t even know he was still around. We met for quite awhile, and then one day he didn’t show up and I couldn’t get ahold of him.”
“What happened?” I asked. “Why did he stop meeting with you?”
“Not sure,” Stan replied,“but I think he simply lost interest in getting together to talk about God, discipleship, spiritual maturity, and all the stuff we talk about.”
“That’s too bad,” I responded.
“Yeah, I feel badly about that,” Stan replied, “but that was up to him. Can’t force it. It’s just like my relationship with God.”
“How so?” I asked.
“God pretty much leaves it up to me to decide whether or not I want to get together and talk or whether I’m just going to do what that guy just did?”
“Drive by, honk, and wave?”
“That’s it,” Stan said. “There definitely was a time in my life when I was content with that, but no more. Can’t get to know God without spending time with Him. I can’t just drive by, honk, and wave. I’ve got to stop and spend time with Him!”
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Bible verses to consider:
Come unto Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and my load is light. Matthew 11:28-30.
If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. John 7:37.
For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh every one who languishes. Jeremiah 31:37.
And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. John 17:3.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for providing the way for me to have a relationship with you, both for eternity and for this side of eternity, by accepting your free and gracious gift. I confess that too often I do not stop and spend time with you, but am content with just waving and driving on by. You know and I know that the reason for that is my self-focused desire to spend time apart from you. Please forgive the foolishness of that sort of relationship with you. And please, Father, help me follow every step of your lead into the deepest possible relationship where I long to spend time with you. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you come to the Father through Jesus the Son so you know you will spend eternity in His presence when it’s time? If no, what is standing in the way of accepting God’s free and gracious provision of that? If you are a Christian, how are you doing with wanting to spend time with God during the time you have remaining on this side of eternity? Do you spend time with Him or are you content to just honk and wave as you drive by? If you sense the need for change in how and when you spend time with God, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?
Waiting for the Train 