SNAPSHOTS

If you were to take a "snapshot" of your relationship with the Lord , what would the picture look like? I met an unusual lady today who's compiled an album of notes, Scriptures, and snapshots of the various "stages" of her Christian walk, including activities she has enjoyed, people who have influenced her, and outreaches she's participated in. When she first accepted the Lord, her "stage one" "snapshots" were of the church activities and fellowships so new to her. As she grew, the second section of her album included notes about who she wanted to be in Christ. The third section showed self-discovery...a time of uncovering the special talents God had given her. Part four showed her learning to use these talents to reach out to others. But as she describes it, the best stage of all was stage five. "Until now everything focused on me. Now I've learned to focus on Him. I've finally realized that loving Him doesn't revolve around what I am or what I do, but Who He is and what He has done. I've discovered that to love Him is to focus on Him and to celebrate Him every day!" To you who want to experience "stage five," the Lord is encouraging you tonight, saying, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you up again...I will bring him near and he will come close to me, for who is he who will devote himself to be close to me..." (Jeremiah 31:3-4; 30:21, NIV). No matter what your spiritual "photo album" looks like tonight, know that He is working to bring you to "stage five" where, as you learn to focus on Him, He will draw you with never-ending love.

I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you up again...I will bring him near and he will come close to me, for who is he who will devote himself to be close to me..."

(Jeremiah 31:3-4; 30:21, NIV).