Closer
“The closer you get to God in a relationship, the more things in this life make sense,” I said, telling a friend about the events that occurred after my husband went to be with the LORD. “All I can say is that everything that happened was divine, perfectly orchestrated so that I could see God's hand in everything that transpired.” “I never would have seen those things you saw,” my friend replied, “and you are right, the closer you get to God through His Word, the better your vision, the better your communication, the stronger your relationship.”
Every relationship comes along with responsibilities. Regardless of the type of relationship, each member has duties to perform. God takes on the bulk of responsibility when it comes to His relationship with each of us but what are our responsibilities when it comes to our relationship with God?
Manoah and his wife had been waiting to receive this news. Like many of God’s chosen, they had struggled to have a child (Jdg.13:6-7). The Angel of the Lord delivered the message that they would conceive and made sure Manoah and his wife knew what their responsibilities were in preparing for their new son (8-14). Samson would not only be an answer to their prayers but a blessing to Israel. God needed them to do something, and they did. Their trust and obedience drew them closer to God and allowed them to see their son Samson grow to be a man of tremendous strength who began the process of delivering Israel from the Philistines (5).
I remember hearing my beloved father, Rev. E. Phillip Terrell Sr., regularly say to those who were in distress, “Even now, God still controls the course of human events.” As believers, most of the things we go through are meant to bring us closer to God and allow us to see His purpose and vision for our lives. Manoah and his wife had a purpose, to bring Samson into the world so that he could be used by God. Surely a beautiful baby was a blessing to them, a long-awaited answer to a prayer but it was so much more. Samson’s life was part of God’s plan for more reasons than one. Manoah and his wife had responsibilities. God gave them clear instructions just like He clearly communicates with us through His Word.
Jonah was not Manoah. God had given Jonah clear instructions just as He had given to Manoah and his wife but Jonah ran from his responsibilities. God had given Jonah direct orders to visit the terrible city of Nineveh, to preach and save souls but he disobeyed (Jonah 1). Instead of going forward in obedience to God, Jonah shirked his responsibilities. He directly disobeyed God and learned the hard way that “God still controls the course of human events.” Even when we disobey God and evade our responsibilities, He is still in control of the events in our lives. God’s control over the boat, the storm, and the digestive system of the whale is what got Jonah back on track. Like most of us, Jonah chose to do things the hard way. If only he had realized that his relationship with God came with certain responsibilities. When we acknowledge and submit to our responsibilities, God will give us the guidance, strength, and wisdom that we need to conquer every situation.
One of the definitions given for the word, relationship is “being connected by blood or marriage.” Ephesians 2:13 says, “But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and personal Savior, we are connected to God by the blood of the Lamb. As members of the Church, we are the bride of His only begotten Son Jesus Christ (Ephes. 5:22). Get to know God. Read His Word, delight yourself in it, trust Him enough to fulfill your relationship duties and you will see how meticulously He takes care of the rest.
