It’s Personal
Listen to the definition of the word, “personal” : “ Of, affecting, or belonging to a particular person rather than to anyone else. Of or concerning one’s private life, relationships, and emotions rather than matters connected with one’s public or professional career.” Lately, I’ve been aware of how we’re getting further and further from the “personal” connections that were once commonplace. Examples: Instead of talking on the phone, one-on-one, more emails are used. Go to a fast-food restaurant…the employees cooking, preparing and serving, aren’t taking orders at the counter, much less giving us the “welcome to _____. Can I take your order?” anymore … there’s that aggravating kiosk where you haveta place your own order. God help us … navigating these things automatically makes my pressure go up ! Go to any Walmart, Home Depot or Lowe’s and try t’ find an employee … they’ve either found the perfect hiding places or else their faces are so buried in their cellphones, they “don’t have time” to help the very people who spend money in their establishments. I guess that’s why Amazon is so successful … just order from home, get it off the porch when you feel like stretching your legs. It’s pitiful ! And what about those self-checkouts ?! You do all the work yourself, and then the cardreader asks you for a survey on your experience ! And many of em try to make you slip up and “tip”, even though they never came back to your table to see if you needed more water or tea ! Fortunately for us, God’s interpretation/definition of “personal” doesn’t “exclude”…it “includes”. We just haveta get it in the correct order. We can continue the downward spiral of remaining “our” own boss and living to please “ourselves”. We can even continue choosing where “we’re” gonna go, what “we’re” gonna do and tell ourselves that nobody will ever be the boss of “me”, now that we’re out from under our parent’s house-rules. “Self” ain’t always a “bad” thing … we need to be self aware that it ain’t about “us”. We also need to be self conscious of the paths we’re about to take … cause plenty of em contain traps and snares. It’s also wise to practice self-control. Going “overboard” in most situations or activities will lead to poor health, busted relationships or consequences that leave us wondering how we got so far off the tracks. GOD says, “ I’ve got a better plan…come to me, all yall who are tired of doin it your way and gettin the same results…I’ll give you rest ( Matthew 11:28-30 ). Start a relationship with me through my Son, Jesus, and let me prove to you that my way is better ( John 14:6 ). If you’ll seek me with all your heart, you’ll find me. Draw near to me and I will draw near to you ( Jeremiah 29:13; James 4:8 ). Let’s begin a “personal” relationship that will have EVERYTHING t’ do with ALL your other relationships. I’ll help you find your place in this life and have a place reserved for you in the next ( John 14:3 ). I’ll never leave you to ‘figure things out on your own’, and I will fight ‘for you’ ( Hebrews 13:5; Exodus 14:14 ). We’ll do life together, and I’m gonna show you what it’s like to do it in ABUNDANCE ( John 10:10 ) ! “ “Personal” … the word takes on a new meaning when we begin a personal relationship with GOD through faith in Jesus Christ ! He proves it EVERY day.