So here’s my “spiritual” thought for today.
So, I've not posted in a while - sorry............. been busy doing stuff - moving to the US amongst other things - will try and get more regular again!
This morning on my flight from Redding to San Francisco I happened to be sat in front of Kris Vallotton one of the senior pastors at Bethel Redding (and a really good teacher too). Coincidentally I had taken his book “Spirit Wars” (which is an EXCELLENT read by the way) to read this trip – one of my wife’s hand-me-downs from the school of ministry.
Kris noticed I had his book and we had a brief chat as we were getting settled into our seats. I decided that I would not “pursue” the conversation (though I am sure he was happy to chat) as it was 6am, I had NOT had ANY coffee at that point – and as someone who travels a lot I like peace and quiet “me” time on flights – and thought he might as well so didn’t want to intrude – so I read his book instead.
While I was reading though – a thought occurred to me. Here I was reading a book by a guy who was within 5 feet of me and really couldn’t go anywhere – I could ask him anything. Wasn’t it strange that I should choose to spend time reading the book – rather than building relationship with its’ author and by doing so probably getting more insight on the subject and his life than I ever could by simply reading the book. I didn’t feel bad or anything as it was my choice BUT I contemplated it a bit.
It then occurred to me that as Christians we often prioritise (or are taught to prioritise) reading the “Book” (the Bible) in order to get to know more about this wonderful God who has saved us and set us free – rather than spending time WITH Him in His Presence.
I had Kris with me for an hour and could easily have built a rapport in that time should I have chosen to do so – we have God with us 24/7 and still many of us choose not to prioritise that relationship – often even seeing reading the “Book” as more important than simply spending time with Its Author – wow what a thought.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t read the Bible – nor am I saying we should try and drum up “time with God” in fact the opposite – we have God with us always we don’t need “time” with Him – just to include Him in our everyday lives. If we really got a hold of the fact He is with us ALWAYS he can be relied on, spoken to, listened to and “communed” with ALL the time – how different might our days be?
