When you’re building a friendship, there’s a lot of give and take. Phone calls, lunches, little trips; they all have the goal of getting to know someone better. The hope is that this person will be a companion, a fellow traveler in life.
Most people won’t invest the time it takes, unless there is hope of a deepening relationship. It’s frustrating to keep reaching out and sharing yourself with someone who will not respond the same way.
Personal strategies toward developing friendships, often get carried over to ideas for deepening a relationship with God. Increased prayer and praise, volunteering for projects at church, and more donations will all result in a richer, deeper relationship with God, right? He won’t ignore all of that effort.
Well, that’s how it works with people. So I think that’s how it works with the Lord too. But the truth is, in spite of all the good works, I still may not be moving as fast as I would like, to a closer relationship with God. And that’s disheartening.
But the Lord doesn’t want me to be sad. There are just a couple of truths I need to remember.
A: I don’t call the shots in the relationship
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God controls my progress in faith. He knows what road is best for me. It might be bumpy; he might be silent. But it will lead to my deepening commitment to reach out to him.
Maybe the way won’t be smooth and clear, but it’s mine. I’d love my relationship with the Lord to be on the fast track. There are always people who seem to be speeding toward knowledge of him.
But for me? It’s usually three steps forward, two steps back.
I’d rather be at the Daytona 500, but God seems to enjoy
watching me learn to samba.
I read somewhere that holiness is constant acceleration. Not constant speed. Go forward, yes. But don’t worry about the velocity. I got that covered. The Lord wants me to sway across that dance floor. Speed won’t be an issue.
B: I am human, so I am not perfect
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If I were given all knowledge and wisdom of him, would I even understand it? The Apostles spent three years with Jesus, but they still had trouble understanding what the heck he was saying half the time.
They were there when Christ healed the sick, made the lame walk, and even know when a fish would have a coin in it’s mouth to pay the Temple tax.
But they were still stumped with the question: “Who do you say I am?”
The silence after that question (before Peter answered it with the considerable help of the Spirit) was deafening. If they couldn’t grasp the whole truth, I’m sure I wouldn’t either. It’s much better for the Lord to treat me like the that child I am.
C: I can’t change A or B.
So I guess I’ll just be over here in the corner, practicing my new dance steps. I don’t get very far, or very fast, but that’s ok. As long as I’m making progress, I’ll be fine.
As I dance, I’ll keep repeating : Constant acceleration. Not constant speed.
Linking today with: Monday Musings , Sharing His Beauty , Soli Deo Gloria
It’s so true that we should always be moving forward in our relationship with God. I’ve heard it said that there’s no standing still in that regard. We’re either moving forward or sliding backward.
Hi Linda! Thank you for stopping by today, and I hope repairs will go well today?
I have heard that same saying. It talks about how you can’t ever stay static with God. Either forward or backward, no standing still. Well, I’d best get dancing then!
Have a good day, my friend,
Ceil
Excellent post!
Hi Joyful! Thank you, I am so glad you liked it
I just loved the graphic, it seemed to be going up and then back again. I totally blundered into finding it. Thank you, Lord!
Happy Monday,
Ceil
Dear Ceil
Oh, I like your analogy with a dance. I love to stand on my Pappa’s feet, holding His hands and just allow Him to do the dancing steps. That, to me is grace in action and all I have to do, is to rest in Him.
Blessings XX
Mia
Hi Mia! I love that thought, Mia. Your description made me think of dancing with the Lord in my head, my feet on his feet. Beautiful! No question that it is grace that I am dancing at all. Another good point.
Thank you for your comments today, Mia. Insightful as always!
Ceil
Good Monday Morning, Ceil…
You have a gift for taking the written word and transforming it into vibrant illustrations in my mind.
So, thanks for that! : )
Hi Billie Jo! And a happy Monday to you
Thank you for your kindness, my friend. Can you see me dancing in your head? Let me apologize right now for that! But the idea that we dance to our own music and pace with the Lord is a beautiful one, so I hope that one is samba-ing with you today.
So good to see you
Ceil
Ceil, I too am learning that speed isn’t the issue when it comes to my relationship with the Lord. Having our granddaughters here last week is a good example. They loved spending time with me (as I loved spending time with them)…they weren’t picky about what we did together, just as long as we could be together. I think that must be how my relationship with the Father needs to be. I don’t think it matters to Him if my time is spent memorizing Scripture (which is very good), reading and studying His Word or spending time in prayer. What He really cares about is the fact that regardless of how we are spending that time, it is time spent together. Have a wonderful week, Ceil!
Hi Dianna! I completely agree with you. Its the time spent together. I read on one blog that the best time for this person was just sitting with the Lord, in the quiet. Like old friends. Isn’t that a great image?
Blessings to you, Dianna. I always treasure your reflections here.
Ceil
Friendship dances–sometimes my toes get stepped on! In our busy world I find it difficult to find time for friends. I’m working on that! So enjoyed this post — love it when God speaks through the words of a blog friend!
Hi Pamela! That’s a good image, the toe smashing. We do seem to get busier and busier, and time for friends is hard to find. I need to call my neighbor and carve out some time for her. You reminded me of that! So I think God is using both of us today!
Blessings to you,
Ceil
Yep … that first step is often the hardest. I am not in charge. He is! Us control freaks find admitting this and living this out most difficult! Love where you went with this today, Ceil!
And I’m thankful for this online friendship that is starting to take root. You feed me well. And for that I am thankful!
Hi Linda! Yeah, that whole ‘who’s in charge’ thing is funny. I keep thinking that I am! Ha!!
So glad you liked the post today, thank you for coming here, and making a comment too. I hope you’ll join me here often!
Ceil
I love your honesty! I think we all have times where we feel like we should be moving faster in our faith walk. I guess one thing I’ve learned when I feel like I’ve been slowing down is to pray and ask God to refresh and strengthen my desire for Him. And you are right…God’s timing is best and if He is keeping us in “practice mode” for now, we also need to be content.
Hi Sharon! That’s such a great response to feeling like you’re crawling, not running. Ask for his grace! Perfect! I should be doing that more often, thank you for that.
I don’t mind ‘practice mode’ so much. It sounds less scary than ‘game time’ to me! But I’ll try to be ready in those times that he calls.
Thank you for your visit, and kind words today. You have lifted my spirit
Ceil
It’s true that we often view the development of our relationship with God in the same with others. But they dynamics are certainly different.
Hi Wanda! I do think that we tend to compare ourselves with others in spiritual progress. But that is so silly. I am writing another blog post about it, actually.
We are all different, and God wants it that way! He knows how fast I should go, and that’s good enough.
Thank you for coming over today!
Ceil
We all seem to compare ourselves with others, even in our Christian walk. But you are right–God is in control and He knows best what will we need to really grasp the awesomeness of of His presence and the importance of His Word.
Blessings!
Pam
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Hi Pam! Thank goodness that God is in control! He does know best what I need, and how fast I should go. I don’t want to lose control and crash!
We are all individuals, and have unique relationships with the Lord. And that is a good thing!
Blessings to you,
Ceil
Ceil, I can soooo relate to this post (found it from Monday Musings). I wish I were on the Daytona 500 fast track too, but it just isn’t so. The more I push, the more I seem to be going off to the right or to the left. So I will also stay on the slow and steady path the Lord has me on. His plan is always best. I’m getting lots of great lessons today! Thank you, dear friend. Peace to you.
Kim
Hi Kim! How was your weekend??
Isn’t that the truth. I keep hoping God will speed me up, but I have to learn patience, not my strong suit! You are wise to make peace with your pace, and that’s what my goal is too. Dance along…at least it should look good
Thank you for your visit, my good friend!
Ceil
Yep. Totally agree. Excellent post. Thank you so much for the reminders. Blessings
Hi Dear! Thank you for your comment, I’m so glad you agree.
If the Apostles didn’t get it all, I know I won’t…better to stay dancing!
Hope you had a great day.
Ceil
Amen, Amen, and did I mention … AMEN! “Go forward but don’t worry about the velocity.” Well said, dearest friend. I think I worry too much about going forward in my relationship with the Lord at a fast rate instead of just moving forward at God’s speed. Thank you for blessing my Monday. Hugs to you, Ceil!
Hi Stephanie! I think we all wish we were on the fast track. Who knows…Maybe we are? But whatever the pace, it’s the right one because God calls the speed.
Thank goodness for that!
Thank you for coming over today, and making a lovely comment too
Ceil
Wonderful analogy! (I love the Monk series with Tony Shaloub. Ever watch it? I so often liken his experience to a Christian walk. One time he was in the desert with a canteen of water, which in his OCD compulsion he decided to wash his hands with instead of drinking the water. Ha! He’s wandering around hot, dry, and dusty when he realizes he’s sweating and dirty. He says, “Okay. I’m human. I don’t like it, but I have to admit it.” I laughed myself silly.) So I really appreciated your pointing out the foibles of the disciples and all of us who really don’t have it all figured out yet. We’re human. God knows it very well. We just don’t always like to admit it. We will probably be surprised one day by the things we did that delighted Him.
Hi Vee! I never watched the series, but I know he had OCD. The scene you describe is so funny, but really shows he understands his problems!
Those disciples…they give us all hope, don’t they? We are all human, and that’s ok! He chooses us to carry on his work, and will always help. Phew!
Loved your comment today Vee. Thank you for coming over today
Ceil
Sooo true girl! Love this
Hi Heather Leigh! Thank you for being such a dedicated follower of this blog. I really appreciate your visits and comments
Hope you had a great Monday!
Ceil
Great post, Ceil. Lots of truth packed into it. And I have found that the times that my relationship with the Lord deepens is when I am struggling, suffering, or generally overwhelmed with life. I guess maybe I’m just more in touch with Him during those times.
And, busyness doesn’t seem to foster closeness with Him either. It seems that we need to be still to hear the whisper of God.
GOD BLESS!
Hi Sharon! You are such a faithful woman, I shouldn’t be surprised that you feel closer to him in hard times, than in good. What a gift that is.
I pray that we will all be happy with our own paces with the Lord. Because then, we will hear him so clearly, as you pointed out.
Thank you for your words today, Sharon. Blessings to you!
Ceil
Ceil, You’re an awesome friend! I’m thankful our paths crossed. Hey…can you shag? It’s much easier than the Samba
Hi Nan! Well, I learned something different today. I had to go to youtube to see the ‘shag’, I had never heard of it before! And you think that’s easier? Seriously? The people I saw had very intricate footwork. Yikes!
I appreciate your friendship too. You were one of the first people to ‘join’ me here, and meant so much to a new blogger. I’ll never forget your kindness.
Hope you had a great day, my friend
Ceil
I like this comparison! It’s so true. Over the years I’ve learned to be patient at finding those friends, the ones that just “click” and you become fast friends. And so I desire my relationship with the Lord too. Thanks so much for sharing!
Hi Karen! I like how you picked up on the comparison between human friendships and relationships with the Lord. The best ones form slowly, as you say. Just like blog-friends too
Thank you for your visit and comment today. I love to see your black and white photo!
Ceil
Once again you speak to my heart. I want my relationship with God to grow and flourish but it can’t be rushed… just like building a friendship can’t be rushed. We have to act, wait, give, receive, pray, love, cry, lean, hug, ebb and flow with one another.
Thank you for another blessed post.
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
Hi Jennifer! I am so glad you liked the post today, maybe we are on the same wave-length today?
I love your comment about ‘ebb and flow’. That is so true in any relationship, whether with God or each other. I love that! Thank you!
I did have a good day, and I hope you did too, my friend!
Ceil
I loved the whole idea, and I really think I have been doing this,
confi-dance for a long time. I want to be in His flow and sometimes it is to just stop and smell the coffee:)
I have always asked the Lord to let me dance with Him!
I loved this…Cha Cha Cha!!
Blessings, Roxy
Hi Roxy! Cha Cha Cha! I love that! And I do love the smell of good coffee…
How beautiful that you have been dancing with Jesus all this time. I am just starting, so I’ll stay in my corner, so I don’t step on your toes
I am so glad you liked what you read today. I liked your comment too!
Ceil
The Lord is always Teaching me! He is the PERFECT instructor! Blessings~~~Roxie
Hi Roxie! (Two Roxie/Roxy’s in a row!) Yay! You are so in tune with the Lord, you know he is teaching you always. That is something to celebrate…let’s dance!
Blessings right back to you, my friend!
Ceil
Dancing with God sounds pretty good to me. What a partner!! I love your honesty and certainly can identify with it. Also how you have thought this out too. good reflection
Hi Jean! It sure does, doesn’t it? I am glad you liked what you saw here today. I think there are a lot of people who feel ‘less than’ when confronted with people of great faith. But God knows the right speed of growth for us all. Thank goodness he is in charge!
Thank you for your visit, and comment too. I love to see your smiling face
Ceil
Ceil, your writing just made my heart feel a little lighter!
Thank you.
Been a very long day and this was just what I needed!
Hi Margie! Oh, that is so nice of you to tell me that! You just made my heart lighter too.
I hope you sleep well, and wake refreshed. You deserve a good rest.
Blessings to you, Margie,
Ceil
Hello Ceil,
miss coming here. Thank you for the prayesr to me and my family. I am so blessed to have friend like you here.
How are you? I miss you!
I am so agree with you, I feel the same way too….the only closest friend to me, only those who love God, we really have heart connected when we are as one on Christ. Just like you and me,
I love you called “confi – dance”
I love dancing with Him, flowing and following with His rhythm all is about deepening relationship with Him.
I love your thoughts A and B.
You always bring your amazing thoughts to the words…I think God giving you the talent for this.:)
Thank you for sharing about the little story of you. Adopting is one of my future plan too hehe, but not sure. and God is truly loving toward us.
Praying for you Ceil.
Love,
Delvalina
Hi Delvalina! How great to see you today! You can come by anytime, just to say ‘hi’, you know that. Thank you for your kind words about the writing. I really do feel full of ideas sometimes…and then I think I’ll never have another good one. I think everyone goes through that, right?
Adopting was a wonderful blessing, because I wouldn’t have a family without it.
I’m glad you liked A and B. I think they are very true. But we can dance, and I see that you are a pro at that already! Yay!
Meet you on the dance floor
Blessings to you!
Ceil
You are one wise woman, Ceil. Thanks!
Hi Susan! I wish!! But I am glad you liked the post today. It was so true to me, that I sometimes think I am smarter than the Apostles. Like I could handle it if Jesus unloaded all his knowledge on me? Oh brother, that would not work out well at all.
I’ll just keep swaying in that corner. I’ll get there eventually.
Thank you so much for your gracious comment, Susan. I really am happy that you can relate to what is here. And you come! Thank you for being such a faithful blog-friend.
Blessings to you
Ceil
Each time I think I have my relationship with God figured out, something happens. When I was pregnant with my middle child and my mom was living with us and sick with cancer, plus we were so broke it wasn’t even funny, somehow faith came easily to me. I was happy most days, trusted God for a healthy pregnancy and birth and then when I went into labor, my daughter was born after just 4 1/2 hours. Then, my Mom died a couple of days later and somehow I went into a faith tailspin where I wasn’t sure if God heard my prayers or even cared to listen to me anymore. How could I go from one extreme to the other? Well, I did! To compound matters, I felt guilty about it because being in the ministry, I’m supposed to have answers and feel solid in my faith. How could I help anyone else if I didn’t know what I was doing myself?
When I got pregnant with my youngest, I still felt kind of disjointed in my relationship with God. I wasn’t sure God would really look out for me and during that pregnancy I went through anemia and then had an extremely painful 9-hour birth that ended with a hemorrhage and NICU stay. Not exactly what I envisioned. Yet, despite my questioning faith, God surrounded me with praying women who laid their hands on me, prayed scriptures over me and reminded me that God was there when I called out in pain during labor, “LORD, where ARE you??!!” They never left me, never stopped believing, praying and ministering to me. And in that moment, I realized it was about learning to accept help and be humbled. As soon as I could do that and let go of the notion that I needed to have the answers, I felt God right there with me again and have once again found my groove.
Yes, three steps forward and two steps back. It’s quite a journey, isn’t it?!
Hi Anne! What a beautiful story of ‘lost and found’. I play that game with my relationship with God too. I’m always the one who thinks he is lost, and it’s really me who has the issues. Surprise!
You have been through a lot of suffering, Anne. No wonder you had a faith crisis. Your telling about the women who just stayed and prayed and helped you was so touching! And here they were, being Gods hands and feet to you.
I’ll be happy to make some room in my corner, and we can work out the samba together! Quite a journey indeed. I was just working on a blog post where I said the same thing. Life…it’s nuts sometimes!
Love you!
Ceil
That Samba sounds great to me! I have definitely been through my fair share of “stuff,” and at the time I normally don’t understand why it is all happening. However, God has a way of using those times later as a way to help other people. Each day, I’m learning to better roll with life and God’s plans….haha, and some days better than others.
Oh for sure. Join the club, my good friend! I hope to be at peace so much earlier than I usually am. That’s our work toward holiness. A lifelong journey!
Ceil
This is very well said, I’m going to share this devotion with a friend today. Perfect words for her (and me). Thanks for the reminders. ~ Abby
Hi Abby! I am very happy that you think your friend would benefit from this message today. And you too! It’s so nice when we can all learn from each other, don’t you think? It was a great lesson to me too.
Thank you for coming over today, and leaving a comment. I love to see your smiling face!
Ceil
Thank you for this analogy. One thing I’ve learned in my Christian life; I don’t put my confidence on people but on my God. It’s difficult at times but it is certainly rewarding.
Thank you for always visiting me, Ms Ciel
Hi Farida! So true, always look to the Lord. Great point! No one ever said being a Christian was easy, quite the opposite. But if we keep trying, we’ll get there.
I love visiting you, Farida! It’s a great thing to make blog-friends, and I’m glad we met
Ceil
A good reminder that I will never be in control.
Fondly,
Glenda
Hi Glenda! Thank you for visiting today! Yes, the Lord calls the tune and sends out the dance steps, that’s for sure. But I take a lot of comfort in the idea that the Apostles were pretty lost in the middle of his presence, so I guess we aren’t doing too badly!
Nice to meet you today
Ceil
Great post, Ceil. Love the illustration of doing a samba instead of going forward.
I think I’ll remember your words for a long time: “Constant acceleration. Not constant speed.”
Sort of a variation of “never give up.”
Hi Jerralea! Yes, I think it is a variation of that! Thank you, I agree. The amount of progress is secondary to making some at all. That’s the most important thing. I just have to learn to be a better dancer…
Good to see you, my friend!
Ceil
I enjoy a slow dance….and let God lead.
Hi Dee! You are right on target, I think. God needs to lead, and we need to love that. I wish I was more like you
Thank you for coming over today. You are so faithful, and I really appreciate that. Blessings to you!
Ceil
We grow closer to him in the secret place ask him to dance! But he likes to lead..
Hi Debra! So nice to see you today!
Yes, we do grow closer when he leads, you are so right. And he wants all of us to be with him in the dance, which is such a miracle. He is an awesome God!
Thank you for coming over today, it’s so good to see you.
Ceil
Love this post, Ceil! As I rehearse with my husband for our dance ministry, I’m often reminded that the relationship between dance partners in many ways symbolizes that of husband and wife in a Biblical marriage, which in turn symbolizes the relation between Christ and His bride, the Church. So as long as we keep following Him, all is well! Thanks for the great post & God bless!
Hi Laurie! You have a dance ministry? I have never heard of that. Sounds like a lot of fun! The Lord is the leader of the dance, and we are surely safe with him.
Oh yes, it is the Lord and his Church…all of us! What a beautiful image, thank you for that. You have such a lovely way with words…
Blessings to you!
Ceil
Wonderful points, Ceil. I love to dance with the Lord, but I’m not a very good dancer these days with my stiff right knee. He takes a powerful lead on the dance floor of life and is gentle with me. Talk about acceptance of us. I love the way you said it.
Hi Mary! I love the way you describe how gentle and powerful the Lord is with you. He is such a loving God! (My knees are the worst too, I even have orthotics!)
Wherever we are, we still are invited into the dance with the Lord. Yay! How accepting he is of my faults; still loving us and wanting to use us. We are so blessed!
See you on the dance floor!
Ceil