If you routinely pray for God’s blessings before you start your day—that’s good. But if that prayer is a thoughtless repetitive habit—that’s not good. A quick wink and nod in God’s direction won’t do in 2022.
God demands our undivided attention, not a wink on the run.
From the last couple of years, we should have learned that life is heating up. I remember people were thrilled and jumped for joy when they said good riddance to 2020, but to their surprise, 2021 said, “Not so fast—you haven’t seen anything yet.” So, what makes us think 2022 won’t have a few belly punches of its own. I see a pattern forming, don’t you?
I’m not trying to spread gloom, but who can’t see these bricks of adversity mounting? Consider this: The issues that marked 2020 and 2021 in history have not been resolved; therefore, 2022 bears those burdens plus whatever pages it decides to include.
God is up to something.
Yes, God is in control; He can turn things around in an instance. But more important than our wishes, He wants us to learn lessons that will help us grow spiritually. And one of those lessons He wants us to learn is we must draw closer to Him.
Each person can be as close to God as they want to (and the Holy Spirit knows that). The closer we draw to Him, the closer He draws to us. Moses strived for that deep level of closeness, and as a result, he was able to commune with God face-to-face, while others were satisfied with a long-distance relationship. (See Exodus 33:11.) I can’t speak for you, but a distant relationship with the Holy Spirit isn’t enough to satisfy my spiritual appetite.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4:8a, NKJV).
The same was true when Jesus walked the earth. He appointed about seventy people to spread His message, but only twelve had a relationship with Him. Peter, James, and John were in the inner circle of the twelve and witnessed some of Jesus’ profound moments. And out of those three, John was the most intimate. This is why we shouldn’t compare our relationship with the Lord based on where others are positioned.
God is warning us to make Him our top priority in 2022.
However, not everybody is willing to pay the price for that deep level of intimacy. But as the last few years have shown us, a long-distance relationship with the Holy Spirit isn’t going to make the cut in these troubled times.
If your spirit isn’t on fire for God, then ask Him to put that flame in you because throwing a quick wink and nod in His direction won’t do in 2022.
Winks and nods don’t move mountains!
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled (Matthew 5:6).
© 2021
See you next time on Paulette Talks Faith.