[Finding God in All Things] Day 8 – The True Rival of the Lord

Farmer of Hearts - Finding God in All Things

Did the song "Need You Every Minute" that we used to reflect on and connect with our relationship with God yesterday give you a special, fresh, and warm feeling? I hope yesterday's experience allowed you to savour the realization that our personal relationship with God can be much like that between the best of friends or lovers—very human, affectionate, and sweet. This is especially true when both God and ourselves hold important roles and positions in each other's hearts; the love will be stronger and more sincere. This is also God’s will and desire.

The more we become aware of our need for God, the more significant His role in our hearts becomes, and the higher His position. As a result, our relationship with God becomes closer.

The more important the role, the higher the position, and the greater the expectations—that's only natural. God desires a relationship with us that is as intimate as that between husband and wife. In a marital relationship, the husband and wife hope to be irreplaceable in each other's eyes, and have a commitment that lasts a lifetime. Since we are most precious in God's eyes, and God is even willing to sacrifice His own life for us, doesn’t it make sense that He would want us to put Him above everything else?

Therefore, the first part of yesterday's third reflection question, "Do you hope to find the true ultimate love in your life?" is equivalent to asking: "Who do you hope to find among all things?" This "who" must be your ultimate love, and the crucial point is that this "who" should also be willing to put you first. This is a prerequisite for a healthy relationship.

So, these past two days, we embarked on a marvelous journey of exploration to find the object of our ultimate love in our lives and the true King who will never leave or forsake us. Whether we admit it or not, each of us has someone or something close to our hearts—perhaps a cherished individual or something we desire most in life. Let's explore the latter first.

Some people pursue health, some pursue pleasure, and some pursue a sense of success. These pursuits are understandable and everyone desires them. But when these things become the objects we spend our whole lives pursuing, have we considered the price we pay? Health, knowledge, pleasure, wealth, talent, achievement, self-esteem... which one is lasting and eternal? How much time and effort we invest in these things is equivalent to how much we lose on other things. This is natural and fair.

The question is: How much have we sacrificed for these things? Do you think the price you paid is worth it? If we spend more time and effort on these things than on God, we must re-evaluate. The pursuits mentioned above are all temporary; they will eventually fade away. Only God, and only God’s love for us, is everlasting. If you acknowledge this truth today, are you willing to let go of these passions, though secondary, for God?

I remember asking before if we were willing to give God a chance to “compete” with the one we love most at the moment. Whether you realize it or not, if we are unwilling, it's like God loses to ourselves. Isn't it? All these pursuits are about building ourselves up or satisfying our desires! Are these worldly and temporary achievements and satisfactions worth sacrificing eternal joy for? Are we willing to pay such a heavy price for our souls?

Reflection

How much have you paid for the things you keep pursuing in life? Do you think the price you have paid is worth it?

What do you think you have lost for these pursuits in life?

Are you willing to give up the pursuit of these passions for the sake of God?

Today’s Prayer

Oh God, I don't even know when it began, but unknowingly, I've been blindly pursuing things that ultimately I don't know will benefit me. I don't know the magnitude of the price I've paid or how much I've lost. Thank You for providing me with a space for reflection, allowing me to pause and examine how my life has become imbalanced. Most importantly, I've gradually lost You, lost the time to establish a relationship with You, and missed the opportunities to draw near to You.

Lord, please rescue me from this state of "selfishness" and let me know that losing You means losing everything. Teach me once again to affirm that I truly need You every minute of my life.

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The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: Finding God in All Things” team, including FLL staff and volunteers. Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

Project Manager: Michael Lam
Writer: Paul Yeung
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Mandarin Editor: Anthony X.
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: Bonny Chan
Mandarin Narrator: Rene Ren
Audio Editors: Fonte Ip, Sander Lee, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editors: Fonte Ip, Sander Lee, Arnold Chan
Graphics: Francis Lai, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young, Angela Wong
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Theme Music:
“Friends Only” by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@introvertpianist
“Watercolor Lilies” by Aaron Kenny https://youtube.com/@contactkennya

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