This past weekend I had the privilege to accompany 15 of our junior high students to Power Connection 2015. Not only did we have a ton of fun, we left with our hearts ignited on fire for the Lord. The bond this group now shares will be something treasured for a lifetime. During our time together, I saw the youth soaking in God’s Word, thoughtfully planning how to best apply what they had learned to their daily lives, and worshiping from their heart. Many committed to a deeper relationship with God and a few gave their heart to Jesus for the first time.
Each day during our main session we saw a short drama. One of those dramas started out with two friends chatting on the sidewalk. They were deep in conversation about the prior evenings events when their other friend walked in with a small box. When the friends asked what he had in his hands, he replied “Oh, this? It’s my God-in-a-box.” One friend laughed hysterically at how small his box was and turned to pull out his Super-Sized God-in-a-box on wheels. The third friend was not amused; in fact she had absolute sadness in her heart for her friends. The two friends argued that they could easily live without God, but it was important that they have their box available, so they could let him out when they needed Him. They would take God out of the box at church, while they were at Bible Study, or even at school while taking a test. If they were with friends, playing video games or other “fun” things they would neatly tuck God back in the box. They were determined they could live without God all the time.
Friends, do you keep God in a box only letting Him out when you need Him or when it will look good to those watching? Is God welcome to be part of your every day, every minute activity? Is He welcome to be part of your conversations with all your friends or just certain friends? Maybe you do not have God in a box, but are you allowing Him to drive your life or just sit in the passenger seat? Backseat? Maybe He is tapping on the trunk lid asking to be let out.
If we are in a real relationship with God, we need to let Him drive – we get to sit in the backseat. We cannot just whip Him out of the box whenever we need Him, only to tuck Him back in when we are done. Our relationship with God is not a job we can punch in and out of as we please.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” Colossians 3:23. Whatever you do…no matter who is around, no matter where you are, no matter how scared it makes you, do it as though you are doing it for the Lord. Whatever you do…in all conversations, during all activities, no matter what, allow God to be part of it. If we want to be used by God to conquer the world, we first need to let Him conquer us.
So now I’ll ask you, can you live without God? Perhaps a better question is this: Can you die without Him? You can’t live without Him either, my friend.
Becky Ossefoort
Get started today! Each of us at Power Connection was given a 21-day challenge and I would like to challenge you to take the same challenge. (Double dog dare you!) The 21-day challenge: read one chapter in the book of John for the next 21 days. Seems easy, right? Well, if you take that challenge, who are you going to do it with? Who will be your partner so you can study it together? Friends, God has called us into a personal relationship with Him, not a private one. His word is meant to be shared together. If you need a partner, let me know, I’d be happy to do it with you!