Requirements?

First of all, hello. Greetings from the other side of the earth. It's crazy to think about. Do you know how many miles that is? Just stop. Don't even think about it. Remember this, the miles between can never seperate us from the bond we have in Jesus.

Now, you're all probably like...ok, kenny...let's get to this requirement thing. I clicked on this because I'm kinda confused. I think I have an idea but when I go to look for the answer...here you are, talking about the miles between us.

I was caught up in some study the other day and I was asked this very question. If you were to survey a hundred people on this question...what do you think they would say? What does God require of us? Well of course, the most important thing is...money. Because He just can't have enough of it. The economy is going through a recession so tithes are kind of His insurance to make sure he doesn't run out of it.

Ok, now you're like...wait a minute, that's not true. Well if it's not money, then what is it? Do you ever feel like God picks on you? Do you ever feel like He tries to take you away from things you enjoy doing. Have you ever done something you knew wasn't really all that good...but you did it anyway. I know I have. Our justifications are created in the interests we have in it. One word: deception. It begins to develop a behavioral pattern. Sometimes, it's easy to let go of...others can trap us in a pit that is so deep...it's difficult to climb out of and we learn to be content in our shame. So whatever it is for you...maybe what God wants most from us is to stop __fill in the blank__ and start getting more involved at the church or __fill in the blank__. Well, what if everyone just stopped what they were doing and became robots for God's will. Is that what He wants?

Confused, yet? Good. Now that I've confused you...my job here is done. It's been great! See you in August.

Alright, I know you have the advantage of seeing a body of text below my sarcasm line. So what now? Well, how bout we go old school....or rather, old testament. In the book of Micah, chapter six...verse eight...it reads:

He (that's God) has shown you, O man (that's us) what is good. (to which I say, 'whoa')
(And it continues...) And what does God require of you? (Drum roll, please)
To act justly (that would mean doing the right thing) and to love mercy (opening your eyes to see the needs of others and to respond...caring for those less fortunate) and (are you ready for it?) to walk humbly with your God.

Now, without all my jibber jabber...it looks something like this:

He has shown you, O man, what is good.
And what does God require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and
to walk humbly with your God.

So...now that we know money is not what God wants most from us...and it's also not to change my behavior...then I can save my tithes and offerings and go to the parties next weekend. All I have to do is act justly..(well, wait a minute...that wouldn't be very)...and love mercy (that would kinda be selfish of...) and walk....humbly...with...(hmmm) Where you gettin' at, kennyD?

I don't know about you, but this verse...this one verse...shouted some thunder into my heart. Sometimes I fail to realize that the little things I do are all a part of the equation. God doesn't just want your money. He doesn't just want you to change your behavior. It's not about you giving...or doing...or saying...or joining something...He doesn't just want your service.

What God wants most from me and you is our affection. Something no one else can give except you...is your affection. He's inviting you and me to walk with Him. Not to work for Him. He wants you to walk with Him. He doesn't just want you to do the right thing. He wants you to walk with him. Don't just sign on the dotted line, get your name tag, and do some kind acts for people...That's not what He wants. Go on the journey and...walk...with...Him. He wants fellowship. He wants relationship. God wants intimacy. Not just Sundays and Wednesdays...but Mondays and Tuesdays...and every other day of the week. Walking down the sidewalk; walking in the hallways at school; walking in the store; or in the backyard at home. Walking through the good times...and walking through the bad times. He wants you and me...to walk with Him.

Now, you can say, 'well kenny, that's not true.' or you can say, 'that is the greatest thing I have ever heard.' God has given you and me that choice.

I find myself at times, compartmentalizing God in my life. Especially when I was in school...Ok God, I got this one. Just stay there, and I'll come back on Sunday...we'll talk then, alright?

Pray for me...but am I the only one? What is God stirring in your heart?

I love you all and can't wait to reunite with you again. My prayer for you is peace, protection and the awareness that God is good. May you embrace the calling He has for your life. May you walk with Him as He reveals it to you...and continue to do so through every aspect of your life...faithful and unshaken. And even afterwords, bring your best shoes to Heaven ;) because we'll definitely be walking with Him there.

As it is written, 'Love the Lord, your God with all your heart...and with all your soul...and with all your mind...and with all of your strength.'

Try to bless God, today