Does He Have Your Attention?

I once heard a preacher say that people often form very a close relationship with God when they are in the hospital or in jail. He said that these are two occasions in which God has their full attention. He went on to declare, “God, you have my full attention right now—so if it’s okay with You, I’d like to skip the hospital and the jailbed!” In the spirit of levity, he still makes a good point.

When we are going through a trial or a rough patch in our lives, we often call out to God in prayer. Then we actively look for His hand of deliverance. Financial problem? We seek a miraculous blessing to solve it. Family problem? We ask God to make it right. Many of us have gotten very good at reaching out to God in times of need.

But what about when all is well? Those times when there are no burning issues to petition God about. Are we listening for His voice to us? Still praying faithfully? Reading His Word daily? Too often, we get “caught up” in our daily lives and don’t pay God much attention. We begin to develop this one-way relationship of sorts, talking to Him only when we need something.

God desires an ongoing relationship with us, rich with communication. He wants our attention. He desires for us to set aside private time for Him, and include Him in our daily walk. When we make ourselves available to open communication with the Lord, we begin to see Him in everything we do. He’s at our job, in our home, on the street, in the car. And that makes for an awesome relationship. Jesus gave us the example we should follow. He often prayed to the Father, and in Matthew 6, outlines how we should pray to remain in fellowship with God.

I want to hear what God has to say to me, so I’m giving Him my full attention!