So much value is placed on how we perform. From the time we are young, going to school or even what our parents praised, (or scolded us for) had to do with our performance. This continues into our adult lives with our jobs and even some of our relationships.
We can get into the mindset that we need to work for everything even love.
Life can easily start being seen as a series of tasks to be accomplished rather than something to be lived.
We can even approach our relationship with God this way. Like Martha (see Luke 10 ) we are so focused on doing for the Lord, that we can't just sit and enjoy his presence.
Bask in that love relationship!
It can be as simple as enjoying a ride on our motorcycles and thanking the Lord for it, or seeing an amazing sunset and praising God for his handiwork.
Reading Revelations chapter 2 today, I find this rather convicting. Jesus, speaking to the church of Ephesus, said,
"I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first." Rev 2:2-5 (NIV)
Let's not get to where those are the words Jesus has for us.
