We were having a good discussion in priesthood meeting when deep-thinking Riley asked a penetrating question that challenged us all. “Why do I spend so much time and effort planning and strategizing my fitness–something that matters a little—while I only casually pray, study scripture and attend church in order to have a relationship with God—something that matters so much?”
What a good question! Nothing we do in life matters more than building our relationship with God, yet that relationship usually gets the cold leftovers of our hectic lives.
The temptation is to answer Riley’s question by saying that we will start studying more deeply and broadly, begin having more earnest and meaningful prayers, along with serving more fully and gladly.
All those things are good. They are foundational. And they are only the beginning.
Maybe for all those who try to do the basics, the next step is to nourish a continuing conversation with God. What does that look like? How do we have that kind of conversation?
1. Lay down our complaints.
The Book of Jasher tells one version of the story of Abraham and Isaac. After Abraham reveals to Isaac that “The Lord has made choice of thee my son, to be a perfect burnt offering instead of the lamb,” (XXIII:51) Isaac replies, “I will do all that the Lord spoke to thee with joy and cheerfulness of heart” (XXIII:52). Abraham wanted to be sure that there was no reservation in Isaac’s heart and cross-examined him. Isaac replied, “O my father, as the Lord liveth and as thy soul liveth, there is nothing in my heart to cause me to deviate either to the right or to the left from the word that he has spoken to thee. Neither limb nor muscle has moved or stirred at this, nor is there in my heart any thought or evil counsel concerning this. But I am of joyful and cheerful heart in this matter, and I say, Blessed is the Lord who has this day chosen me to be a burnt offering before Him” (XXII: 54-56)
That is submission. It opens the door to a rich conversation with God.
Such submission can only happen when we have laid aside our complaints and reservations. It is only when we embrace God as our perfect and benevolent Father that we can submit as Isaac did. When we second-guess and gripe our way along life’s journey, we do not receive God’s companionship.
To excise our complaints is mental work. It is also soul work. We might, as Isaac, examine our hearts and push aside any temptation to counsel God. Then we can choose to rejoice that God uses us in the way He chooses.
2. Then we say with Samuel, “Speak, for thy servant heareth.”
There are times each week when we clearly invite God into our lives—such as during our church meetings and when we study scriptures or pray. But if we tend to limit our relationship with Him to those encounters, we run serious risks.
Sometimes our golden calf is a whole bunch of stuff that we feel obligated to do to show our spiritual commitment. But if our to-do list comes from uninspired obligation rather than the mouth of God, it may well be idolatry. We may be doing worthy things. Yet, if we are treating them as rote activities to check off a list rather than as a way to seek God’s face, we are missing the point.
And many times, we compartmentalize our lives. We think of certain times and situations as the right ones for conversations with God. Then, we tend to exclude Him as we move into other activities—work, family, and recreation.
But He seeks to connect with us in an on-going conversation through all the activities of our days.
He might invite us to notice someone who is burdened so that we can respond with solace or help. He might offer a message of hope as we are barraged by all the bad news in the world. Perhaps He encourages us to be kinder as we engage with family members. Maybe He counsels us to be less self-centered with our spouses and to pay more attention to their needs. Or He might send insights and inspiration to reassure us of His love.
We will only hear all His messages if we stay tuned to His voice throughout the many activities of our days. Often it is a challenge to become familiar with the subtleties of His voice in our lives. It could be a sudden idea that lands in our soul. It could come as a friend shares just the right words that enlighten our minds. He may send an impulse to do something for someone. Sometimes He sends an unexpected burst of comfort or joy.
We tend to measure our righteousness based on our works—amount of time spent in scripture, depth of fasting, quantity of time on our knees. If we are not careful, we will be reducing our relationship with God to 613 commands and prohibitions that feel like the law of Moses.
God seems far more interested in relationships. He wants a warm, loving, continuing conversation with us. That is the way we let Him prevail.
Sometimes the work we are called to do is soul-stretching like when Abraham was called to sacrifice His precious son. The time might come when we are also called upon to make a huge sacrifice—to surrender wealth, ambitions, relationships, our health, even our very lives. Frequently the sacrifices required of us are more ordinary. But they may still entail an expansion of our souls. Forgiving those who have injured us. Refraining from disrespectful comments towards those we disagree with. Displaying greater patience to those who are irritating us. Caring more about the needs of our spouse than our own self-centered needs. Being more generous in sharing what we have with those in need. Applying faith in the face of doubt. Trusting Him during times of darkness.
Let’s learn more from Isaac. When it was time to make the sacrifice, “Isaac said to his father, Bind me securely and then place me upon the altar lest I should turn and move, and break loose from the force of the knife upon my flesh and thereby profane the burnt offering” (XXIII:61). We should want nothing but to do the will of the Father.
“And Abraham heard the words of Isaac, and he lifted up his voice and wept when Isaac spake these words; and Abraham’s tears gushed down upon Isaac his son, and Isaac wept bitterly, and he said to his father, Hasten thou, O my father, and do with me the will of the Lord our God as He has commanded thee. And the hearts of Abraham and Isaac rejoiced at this thing which the Lord had commanded them; but the eye wept bitterly whilst the heart rejoiced” (XXXIII:63-64).
Sometimes the demands of mortality will pain us. But we, like Abraham and Isaac, can follow the directions of the Lord knowing that what the Lord commands is right. Sometimes God will ask us to spend extended periods on our knees. It is likely that He will more often call us to tuck a child into bed or apologize to our spouses for unkind words. He may call us to take on extra duties at home to support a spouse. God knows exactly what He would have us do to accomplish His work. The key is our willingness to prioritize listening for His voice in the face of all other distractions and demands.
While there are foundational practices that will build our relationship with God, mature spirituality moves increasingly toward inviting God into all aspects of our lives and sustaining a continuing conversation with Him. It is standing ready to do exactly as He directs in every moment of our lives.
Invitation: Wally has written inspired books on marriage (Drawing Heaven into Your Marriage) and parenting (Between Parent & Child—revised from Haim Ginott) as well as relationships in general (Discoveries: Essential Truths for Relationships). If you want to strengthen your relationships, go to your favorite bookseller or library to find the book that is right for you!
Reference: The Book of Jasher, 1887/1973, Salt Lake City, UT: J. H. Parry & Co.
From the Bible Dictionary:
Jasher, book of
(Josh. 10:13; 2 Sam. 1:18.) An early collection of Jewish national songs and stories of deeds of valor, put together about the time of Solomon. Various other collections of the book of Jasher are available today and may be of some worth but do not appear to be the one spoken of in the Bible.
Thanks to Barbara Keil for her substantive contributions to this article.
