Relationship v. Do-es and Don’ts

Last night I was lying on the couch watching a re-play of the 2007 Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame show. I don’t know that what I was watching or listening to is important. It’s just happen to be what I was doing. As a matter of fact I was watching U2 perform I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For from the 2004 Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame show. For some reason at that moment it hit me - I don’t want to live a list of do-es and don’ts, I want a relationship! It also occurred to me - this may be the very reason men struggle with becoming the man GOD designed and desires them to be. It’s about a relationship, not a list of do-es and don’ts.

You see, do-es and don’ts give us structure. . .boundaries. They tell us if we’re successful and if we’re winning. They let us know what the score is - whether we are doing good or falling behind. Do-es and don’t tells us the status of things at a glance. They’re stuff we do - hands on - or stuff we don’t do - hands off. Do-es and don’ts set our course. They’re black and white. There’s no gray area to muttle our thinking or perspective.

Relationships, on the other hand, are a man’s kryptonite. . .his weakness. They drain us. Why? Because relationships are somewhat vague. We have to invest and don’t always get out of them what you put into them. You don’t always know where you stand and we aren’t always in control. Relationships aren’t something we conquer as in something we “do” and lift our hands in victory while doing the Rocky dance around the house or office. And while do-es and don’t are pretty clear cut, relationships can be messy and often times confuse us. Relationships also require us to compromise at times and there may even be some gray areas that we may struggle with. For men, relationships are hard.

Then I thought, “but what does Jesus want from us. . .with us?” Sure,there are some things we should do and some things we shouldn’t - see the 10 Commandments. But even they are meant to help or strengthen our relationship with God and with each other. I think Jesus is looking for a relationship. Of course, it can be difficult. Yeah, it’s out of the comfort zone of most men. No doubt, a relationship with GOD can confusing at times. But getting to know GOD and His desire for me as a man takes that kind of risk from me. . .and from you. It takes time and commitment. It takes accepting that I’m not in control, then turning that same control over to GOD. It takes investment of resources, emotions, passions, abilities, and the like. A relationship with GOD means that I’m confused sometimes and I don’t always know what the “score” is. It also takes sacrifice. And, yes, sometimes there are some gray areas that I may not be comfortable with. But it’s a relationship with GOD - the creator of the universe, the one who formed me and knows my intricate parts, the one who loves me so much that He already sacrificed for me~He gave me His Son on the cross. Why wouldn’t I want to have a relationship with someone like that?  Why wouldn’t I want to be in and develop a relationship that will give me more than I can ever give it?
Where are you? Are you a Do-es & Don’ts kind of guy, but desire a relationship with GOD Almighty? Make the commitment today and ask the Holy Spirit to help you. He will.  It takes time to commit to the relationship and get past the do-es and don’ts, but stick with it.  If you do I guarantee the results will be far better than sticking with the list of stuff you do and don’t do.  Besides, when do you run out of stuff to do and don’t do?  That confuses me.

Mike