You Don't Need A Script

We don't need a script to talk with God. In fact, nobody does.

English: Minnesota state photograph "Grace" (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Rote prayers can actually become another separation between us and God. Don't we have enough separation already? Aren't rote prayers just another act of religious busyness, rather than spiritual reality anyway?

I'm prodded by Nicky Gumbel when he says, "There's nothing you can do or not do, that will cause God to love you anymore than He does right now."

God's grace is freely given. It's never earned or deserved. So, I can't expect to court God's favor with eloquent words.

But, on the other hand, I'm reminded by Jeff Goins that, "We become what we practice." Why? Because "We are what we repetitively do. Excellence, is not an act, but a habit," So says Aristotle.

So now I'm seeing a two edged sword here, one of grace, and one of works. It cuts both ways.

OK, now I've got grace, but I want to practice Jesus. And that sounds like walking on Mars...it's so 'out of touch' with reality, or is it?

Would you start with prayer, or fasting, or giving, or good works?

Things get complicated real quick. The complicated builds layers of separation, layer upon layer. They look like the real deal, but 'Where's the life, the joy, the peace?'

At this point, I'm hit with the words of my friend, Greg Richardson, when he confesses, "Depth is beyond my powers of analysis, beyond my ability to control." 

Then the Scripture thunders in my heart: "Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls; All your waves and breakers have rolled over me."

And I'm undone. Untied, and at the end of myself.

How do I make it simple? How can I keep it real? My life can be such a train wreck.

Then it dawns on me. I've got to begin with my heart. And that takes time, and attention, and focus, and most of all, being present. It takes all of me.

I may be praying on one level, and yeah, that disciplines me, but on a deeper level, I am entering in.

And I find myself in the presence of God again. And I'm amazed. "Oh, How He loves me..."