If we realize that what we are really after is God and not the gifts He has prepared for us, we will have the right mentality and motivation to interact with the Lord. The best way to commune with God is through an intimate relationship with Him. And because cultivating an intimate relationship requires a lot of time and effort, we need to start this relationship in this world as soon as possible to prepare ourselves to spend eternity with the Lord.
Yesterday, I invited you to explore why you follow God. In the reflection, I also asked about your ultimate desire in life: is it the joy of eternal life or the Father Himself? You might wonder, aren’t they the same? If there’s the Father, there’s eternal life, and vice versa, right? Yes, but that’s not the crux of the question.
The crucial point lies in whether there are correct motives and attitudes behind this desire. The focus of our reflection yesterday was to rectify or purify the “utilitarian” mindset within us – the impure attitude that focuses on our own interests.
Our focus and goals should be centered on God Himself, rather than the benefits He brings to us.
Only when our focus is on God can we have the correct motives and drive to establish a relationship with Him. Otherwise, our attention remains on how to meet the basic requirements of being a Christian using our own abilities, without focusing on cultivating a relationship with God, or simply establishing a superficial relationship.
This is a common pitfall that many Christians easily fall into.
Therefore, when setting life goals, we need to figure out what we truly desire in our hearts. Is it the relationship itself, or the benefits gained through the relationship? If our ultimate goal is to attain eternal life instead of longing to be with our Heavenly Father, not only is it unfair to God, but our original intention is also misguided and somewhat selfish. This mindset will lead us away from God’s will and His teachings, and will ultimately harm or even destroy our relationship with God. In serious cases, our choices will cause us to lose the eternal life that God desires to give us.
In the eternal kingdom, we have only one ultimate relationship, and that is with God. The establishment and cultivation of this relationship must begin in the present life.
If we have no relationship with our Heavenly Father, why would we have a reason to return to the Father’s house? When we understand that eternal life means being with the Father forever, it becomes easier to comprehend that we should not wait until our return to our heavenly home to build a relationship with God. Instead, we should strive to establish an intimate relationship with God in this life, preparing ourselves well to dwell with the Father in the eternal heavenly home after our brief existence in this temporary world comes to an end.
I believe no one will deny that there is no shortcut to building relationships between people. Time, patience and selfless love are the most basic and important elements.
Since God wants us to put Him first, He certainly wants us to have a closer relationship with Him than any other relationship between humans. Therefore, we should understand that if fleeting relationships in the earthly realm require a substantial effort to cultivate, how much more does the eternal relationship between God and each one of us require our attention and tender loving care?
Reflection
Is your relationship with God the centre of your faith and spiritual life? Why?
Now, please take a moment before the Lord to examine the motives behind your relationship with Him. Are there areas that need correction or purification?
In your communication with God, besides various requests, do you engage in inner dialogues with Him? How would you go about deepening your relationship with God?
Today’s Prayer
Abba Father, thank You for giving me the opportunity today to examine my relationship with You. Whether it’s my motives or expectations of You, I realize I have many impure intentions that seriously deviate from Your will. I feel ashamed of my selfishness and ask for your forgiveness for all my trespasses.
Please, once again, help me purify my thoughts and motives, so that I won’t only consider my own interests but also be mindful of Your feelings. Grant me a new perspective and mindset, so that I may be more willing to set aside time and space to encounter and commune with You in prayer, preparing myself to live with You forever in the heavenly home.
You are invited to visit the YouTube channel, where all participants are encouraged to join and share their reflections.
Fundraising Appeal
Thank you for participating in this 40-day Lenten spiritual journey, Finding God in All Things. We hope you have been inspired and have benefitted from it! For the spiritual benefit of all of you, Fountain of Love and Life devotes a lot of time and effort in producing various spiritual projects every year, and all our ministries are sustained by the generous donations of our supporters. We hope you will support us with prayers and donations. Please make an online donation using the button at the top of the website Lent.FLL.cc. Thank you very much for your support. God bless!
The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: Finding God in All Things” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.
Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Project Manager: Michael Lam
Writer: Paul Yeung
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Mandarin Editor: Anthony X.
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: Bonny Chan
Mandarin Narrator: Mel Lo
Audio Editors: Fonte Ip, Sander Lee, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editors: Fonte Ip, Sander Lee, Arnold Chan
Graphics: Francis Lai, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young, Angela Wong
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Theme Music:
“Friends Only” by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@introvertpianist
“Watercolor Lilies” by Aaron Kenny https://youtube.com/@contactkennya