Ask pretty much any Christian in North America, “How is your relationship with God doing?” and seven times out of ten you’ll get one of 4 responses:
1. A blank, deer-in-headlights stare, distantly followed by the word “uh…”
2. A tentative question in return: “What do you mean?”
3. Some guilt-laden reference to their lack of daily devotional life.
4. All of the above.
Out of the other three times out of ten you’ll get this response twice: “Pretty good, I guess…” If you ask the person to clarify what they mean by “pretty good,” seven times out of ten you’ll get one of 4 responses:
1. A blank, deer-in-headlights stare, distantly followed by the word “uh…”
2. A tentative question in return: “What do you mean?”
3. Some guilt-laden reference to their lack of daily devotional life.
4. All of the above.
At this point, there’s no point in pressing in further. They don’t get it. It’s a rare believer indeed who can reflect on the actual quality of their relationship with God in specific terms, or, conversely, see it broadly enough to discuss it meaningfully.
What are we aiming at, exactly? What would an “on target” relationship with Jesus look like? What about a bulls-eye on that target? Is that even possible? How would you answer these question? I’d love to hear your ideas… and I’ll be sharing mine this week. More tomorrow!