Relationship vs Religion

In Luke chapter two, Mary and Joseph brought the eight day old baby Jesus to the temple to be presented to the Lord. After they entered, an old man named Simeon and an old woman named Anna separately proclaimed that this baby was the Messiah, the Savior of Israel. I have always marveled at that. How did these two old people recognize in an eight day old baby what the religious leaders did not recognize in a full grown man who was preaching the Word of God? There is only one explanation and it cannot be in religion because both had access to the scriptures. It had to be in the processing of those scriptures.

When we think about processing the word of God our tendency is to lean on education or intelligence levels. In Jesus' day, the most learned were the religious leaders. They had access to the scriptures and to gifted teachers so they were rightfully considered the most intelligent men of their day. Yet they did not recognize Jesus. In fact, they were the ones that plotted his death.

Again I ask you: how did two old people with no social class or education recognize in an infant what the most intelligent men of the day did not recognize in an adult? And does that cause you some concern that you might miss Him too? Because it does me.

I believe God wants us to know and understand His word. And yet, if our knowledge and understanding comes from human wisdom then we don't need God. We were created for relationship and it is in relationship that we will find wisdom.

While I should hunger for His word - that very word should draw me to Him. I find myself reading His word and then laying it down to talk to Him about what I read. OR reading His word and being reminded of something I need to ask forgiveness for. OR talking to Him and searching His word to find the answer to my question. If I bury my head in "the book" I may know "the book" but I will miss the relationship with the author.

In this season of my life, I am the caregiver for my dying father. He has cancer over his entire body and I have found myself struggling with my role as daughter/caregiver who happens to be a registered nurse. I tend to not be very smart when it comes to dealing with my own family and I have to step back sometimes and really think hard about what is the right thing to do. This morning in the early morning hours - as is my custom - I was half asleep and speaking to the Lord about His goodness and my love for Him and He brought to my mind the concerns I have had about my father. In the quietness of those moments He seemed to open my mind to the reality of Who He is. He is the author of life and He knows when my dad will go home and that time will be perfect. For Daddy, for me, for my sister and brother and for the Lord Himself. And I had peace.

That is relationship. It's not having all the answers. It's living with some of the mystery and yet trusting the One to Whom we believe. And that sweet ones, is abundant living.