The Simple Relationship

My personality type defaults to assessing and strategizing a solution to a perceived problem. I took a leadership test that defined me as a strategic leader. As with all attributes, that quality can be an asset or liability, depending on the situation. I have found it has shaped me to lean towards being a perfectionist, which can be unhealthy for various reasons. One reason is when it relates to my relationship with God. My default is to hold myself to a higher standard than God asks of me. This leads me to be too fussy about my relationship with Him. I sometimes fret because I don’t spend enough time in prayer, in Bible study, in loving or serving others, etc. It seems at times my spiritual life is more complicated than God intends it to be. This is problematic when the Bible calls me to be content in my relationship with Him.  I’m not saying this because I’m in any need. I’ve learned to be content in whatever situation I’m in (Philippians 4:11, GW).  A godly life brings huge profits to people who are content with what they have (1 Timothy 6:6, GW).  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6, ESV).

If we consider the relationship Jesus had with His Father, it was simple and unassuming, not complicated, and perfectionistic or fussy. There is no hint in scripture that Jesus was unsettled about anything. He was always calm, cool, and collected in every situation. Therefore, He could offer Come to me, all you who are troubled and weighed down with care, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28, BBE). David’s words drill down to the core of the matter when he wrote I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me (Psalm 131:2, ESV). That word picture vividly describes the relationship Jesus had with His Father and He offers that same thing to me—to each of us, mentally and emotionally relaxed.

I’ve learned God is more concerned with my being, not my doing. I have realized that God is not as impressed with all my religious activities as I have been. I realize my activity of ministry is more of a mental or emotional addiction to my soul than a reflection of a weaned child with its mother. All the pumped-up striving and anxious grasping must be humbly surrendered to enjoy the comfortable rest God has planned for us.

The way that I can know if I am practicing the simple relationship with Christ is first by pausing to observe the effects of my faith on others. If I am fussy about my relationship with God, I will be fussy about my relationship with those around me. Whatever level of holiness I practice will become prickly or intimidating to others. This will result in people respecting and loving me, yet politely avoid getting too close to me. It would be a contrast to how people related to Moses when his face shone because of the tightness of his relationship with God. (Ex. 34:29). The second way I can discern I have not yet fully entered His rest is when I compare my mental and emotional as well as the condition of my spirit with the weaned child who is peacefully at rest with its mother. Such a word picture stirs up a deep longing for that full trust, restful and simple closeness to God. To be very candid, I only wish I had been exposed to this truth decades ago. My prayer is this considering the concept will inspire you to make whatever realignment may be necessary to quiet your soul so you can be like a weaned child with its mother. David wrote as a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God (Psalm 42:1, ESV). May that characterize the passion within you for our awe-inspiring God.

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