Years ago, my husband and I would visit his brother and family, who had two delightful fur-babies: Tucker, the effervescent and lovable Schnorkie (Schnauzer/Yorkie) and Ford, the curious and very cautious cat. During one of our weekend visits, Ford and Tucker vied for time with me in the living room recliner. Sibling rivalry caused a snort from Tucker and a quick swipe of Ford’s paw to claim cuddle territory.
One morning, Ford was earnestly meowing outside our bedroom door. When I checked to see what he wanted, he led me to where I would usually sit and promptly jumped onto the recliner, as if to say, “Come sit with me.” Tucker was close behind and fought for the same spot.
Our delightful fur babies depend on us for their everyday needs, but what they want and need most from us is connection, affection, and love, which they generously give without measure. God, who created the Universe, does not need us, yet He created us to enjoy a loving relationship with Him and He with us. Thus, He extends the invitation, “Come sit with Me.”
Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door (of your heart), and knock: if any man hears My voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). This is a beautiful picture of our Savior’s tremendous love for us and His great desire to fellowship with us each day.
We see that kind of fellowship with the Lord as we revisit the scene when Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus absorbing His every word while her sister Martha was busily preparing a meal. Upset, Martha came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” Jesus answered with gentle correction, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her” (Luke 10:38-42).
Martha had been so preoccupied with being hospitable and making sure that everything was just right, that she neglected the presence of Jesus and the importance of spending time with Him. She needed balance in her responsibilities, as we all need balance between everyday life and our spiritual life. We cannot neglect one nor the other. Fortunately, Jesus is always available to sit with us as He was with Mary and Martha. But only Mary took the opportunity to sit with Him. Are we daily taking the opportunity to sit with our LORD?
God created Adam and Eve to enjoy an everlasting and loving relationship with Him. Each day, He walked in the Garden and communed with them and generously provided for all their needs. There was only one stipulation—they were not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Sadly, they chose to believe Satan’s lie that God was withholding good things from them, but if they ate from that tree they would become like God. So, they disobeyed His instructions, and both ate the forbidden fruit from the tree.
Adam and Eve’s failure to trust God, coupled with their rebellion, brought about humanity’s eternal separation from the Creator. Thankfully, Christ’s love for us is so great that He willingly took our punishment on the Cross. And with His last breath, He said, “Tetelestai,” which in Greek means, “It is finished; paid in full.” His agonizing death paid our debt—a debt He did not owe. Now, He extends His hand with an invitation to “Come sit with Me, learn of Me, and have a personal relationship with Me.”
Pets want a loving and personal relationship with their masters. They have an unreserved trust and are completely loyal. Pet owners know the joy of arriving home and being summarily greeted with an excited wagging tail and showers of doggie kisses. Christians who have a relationship with Christ should have that same joyful anticipation and excitement knowing that when we “…draw near to God, He draws near to us” (James 4:8). It is only in His presence that we find fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). So, how do we draw near to God? We spend time in prayer, worship and reading His Word.
God’s presence goes with us, and He gives us rest (Exodus 33:14). He promises to never leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). “He listens to the godly person who does His will” (John 9:31) “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous (those who have faith in Jesus Christ) and His ears are attentive to their prayer” (I Peter 3:12).
Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me (John 10:27). Because we belong to him, we know His voice and are assured that He hears our every prayer. However, the enemy, who is the father of lies, will try to convince us that God does not hear us, nor does He care about our every need.
We revel in our pets’ generous affections and love, and God glories in our relationship with Him. Those intimate moments that we purposefully take time with our LORD will cultivate a continued eagerness to seek Him and His Word as He lovingly beckons us to, “Come sit with Me.”
PRAYER: FATHER, today, I surrender afresh to You. Help me to faithfully make You my daily priority that I may treasure each day as a precious opportunity to learn Your many truths while enjoying sweet fellowship with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Scripture is from both the KJV and NKJV