“Religion is personal before it can become social.” A.W. Tozer
Quickly jot down a list of all the other ‘gods’ who apparently exist somewhere in the universe or, like, in your attic. Next, put a checkmark next to those gods who desire to have a relationship with you. Most likely, you used no ink on that last direction.
When Tozer uses the word religion, he is pointing towards Christianity. With simple logic, he describes one of the foundations of this religion, which lifts Christianity to the zenith of heights while leaving all other religions covered with dust.
God desires a relationship with each one of us. The Creator of all, the One who is timeless, the One who bestows eternal life, that Person desires to know me. Hard to believe I know.
Jesus, who is God, issues an invitation in Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Jesus’ invitation radiates His desire to have a relationship with each of us. No other god has ever come to earth in such a monumental and grand manner simply to seek relationship with us. What an entrance and what an exit! All because He desires personal relationships. Not the entirety of the human race. With you and me. It’s mind-boggling.
He’s not looking for a casual aquaintance. He’s not looking for a couple of buddies to get together and play cards or go fishing. He’s not interested in just existing as couch potatoes. Instead, He has a plan.
He’s offering rest. He’s offering an easy yoke and a light burden. Those three ‘life qualities’ are only available from Him. When we attempt to create them in our lives, we can only muster temporary and inferior products. However, if we say ‘yes’ to a relationship with Him, He gifts and grows those qualities into our lives. Simply because He loves us.
There are several manifestations to these three qualities. Foremost, when we accept His invitation for a relationship, He seals our future with Him. Not in this life, but in the life to come. Secondly, His Spirit comes to dwell within us. His Spirit grows His versions of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control. Once those qualities bloom in our lives, they serve as formidable buffers to all of life’s anxieties, issues and tragedies. Thirdly, as those qualities become ever-present in our lives, they have powerful impact on all our relationships. Marriages are healed, friendships are strengthened, security and support with others are built steadfastly.
That speaks to the last part of Tozer’s quote: “…before it can become social.” An abiding, growing relationship with Him is the only path available to us if we also want to live in that same kind of relationship with our spouses, children, friends, neighbors and co-workers. Nothing else will work. We can read all the self-help books we want, but nothing works as well as making our faith in Him personal to the utmost degree, which, in turn, affects our relationships in profoundly positive ways. Because of Him, this path is infallible.
When this takes place in our lives, we discover why Jesus can make such a bold pronouncement, and it be truth: “Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden…” He’s telling us our ways aren’t working and will never work perfectly. We will always be ultimately disappointed.
He then invites us to ‘learn’ from Him. He truly has all the answers to every aspect of any relationship, and all we need do is seek out those answers. He doesn’t force those answers down our throat because He describes Himself as “…gentle and humble in heart.” He always gives us a choice.
When we make the right choices, which are fashioned after our relationship with Him, that’s when our yoke becomes easy and our burdens become light. Such a better way to live our lives!