Marriage manuals say that the most important thing a couple can do in order to keep their marriage fresh is to get away from everybody and be alone together.
The Bible says that our relationship with our spouse should be a reflection of our relationship with Christ. (Ephesians 5:23-32)
God created us for relationship; first with Him, then with others. In Genesis, it doesn’t say God created man to do good works—or to win souls. We were created to have fellowship with God.
When we give our heart to Jesus and are forgiven of our sins, our relationship with God is restored. After salvation, the in-filling of the Holy Spirit brings an intimacy with God that is like nothing we’ve ever experienced before!
With intimacy also comes a desire to share the joy we’ve found through ministry to others. As we do more and more to teach, witness, visit the sick and actively minister God’s love, we sometimes begin to neglect our personal relationship with our Lord.
As we lose that intimacy, we find ourselves becoming impatient and easily annoyed. It’s easy for a Christian to become so involved in ministry that we neglect our relationship with Jesus. Without that intimacy, we lose our heart for ministry and get ‘burned out’.
Whenever we find ourselves viewing church as ‘work’, we need to step back, renew our relationship and rest. We serve because we love Jesus. Without the intimacy of relationship, ministry is simply, work.
The scripture reveals that Jesus, Himself, took His disciples away from the work of ministry so they could spend time alone with Him. Take time, make time for you and Jesus.
Mark 6: 30-32 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.
Prayer: Father, help me to desire a relationship with you. Show me how to