how is it that today, demons still know Jesus just as well as they did then, but we seem to have a hard time figuring out He is near. is it because we use phrases like “when God is working in my life”, when in reality He is always working? is it because acknowledging the closeness of Jesus in our day-to-day moments brings along a hightened sense of accountability?

if we relegate Jesus to the sometimes realm of “when” then we don’t have to be accountable to act like He is around us in those “other” times.

But get real. Get serious! this is jonah all over again. we think that we can run from God by not acknowledging Him in the times when it’s not as convenient to do so. it’s like getting hired on at a new job. you start off following all the rules, doing every task as it has been laid out, so you can make sure that you are doing things exactly the way they are supposed to be done. it makes management happy, and you feel good about doing it properly. but over time, you figure out when and where you can cut corners, there is a little sneakiness involved and a little laziness, and you slip into a new role of “do what you can to keep from getting caught, and do as little work as possible in the process.” i have seen it so many times, and unfortunately, i had jobs in the past where i was guilty of the same thing.

but how on earth can we claim to be Christians, followers and lovers of Jesus Christ, and try to short change Him? you can’t do it. one of the books i’m reading now is ‘crazy love’ by francis chan, and i totally agree with Him when we talks about this attitude. if we think that we can claim to follow Jesus and still purposefully give Him our leftovers, second or third best efforts, then we’re only fooling ourselves, and we’re probably not even really Christians anyway. we have tricked ourselves and those around us, if we’re really good at it, but we will never fool God with that garbage, and there is no getting into heaven living like that…

but it’s not about works, it’s still all about His grace saving us, by faith. it’s God’s work that saves us when we slip up. but we have to mirror that attitude that face-on acknowledges our sins, and moves beyond them with God’s help.

the demons know who Jesus is…they acknowledged when He came near.

do i?

do you?

remember, it’s not something that happens from time to time. it is an “every waking moment” thing that we have with Him.

every moment of every day.

every minute of every hour.

He walks with us, and He talks with us, and He tells us we are His own. and the joy we share as we tarry there, no other has ever known.

Jesus is ever present with us through the Comforter Spirit that He promised. we have direct access to the Throne of Grace through Him. why would we want to push that to the side? why would we want to act like ANYTHING else has any sort of priority or position over that?

God help us all.