135 – Martin – Intimacy Over Activity: Prioritizing Your Relationship with God
“Dear Michael!
First of all I want to thank God for bringing you into my life...through a couple of conditions I was led by the Holy Spirit to find your homepage...and I’m telling you brother...your John 7:17 challenge is a blessing for me and woke me up. Today is my 33rd day and I’m enjoying it even though there are a lot of ups and downs since I’ve started it. Anyway, I can`t express my appreciation for your work... Let`s praise our Father :)
After having read George Mueller`s autobiography a fire started to burn inside me...”Martin, the time is coming to give everything up for Jesus and follow Him”... even though I’m 28 years old and at the beginning of my teaching career at a German high school which might be a comfortable life in the eyes of the world the desire of surrendering everything to Jesus by giving up that job and just going into the world and for example working in an orphanage with children who are really helpless without claiming any wage of my employer except something to eat and a roof over my head. Deep inside my heart I want to let everything go because I feel it´s hindering my relationship with my Father... Having money and being able to buy everything my flesh desires, focusing on my body by working out, obsessing about what I eat in order to stay healthy...that`s ridiculous, but my ignorance is high. I desire to humble myself and to truly obey Jesus although my mind is fighting this thought by telling me... come on, that job is amazing...it`s safe...you can`t give everything up...how are you going to make it without anything...my parents won`t understand it...they will be worried... But then...while writing this right now I’m asking myself... How can I even mention the thought “how are you going to make it without anything?”...God is EVERYTHING I need.
So why do I have such thoughts... I´m such a miserable creature trying to grasp any reasonable thought of not making that step and just relying on God...I can`t do anything without our Father`s grace...Oh brother...I’m sorry for writing almost an essay... coming to the end I wanted to ask you whether you know of any Christian orphanages or schools in India which might need a full time job volunteer. I`d really appreciate any kind of help my friend :)
Kind regards and much love,
Martin”
Intimacy Over Activity: Prioritizing Your Relationship with God
Are you filled with a burning desire to serve God, to make a difference in the world? That passion is a beautiful desire, but it's crucial that we don't let our enthusiasm outpace God's timing or purpose. We must learn to wait on Him, to discern His specific will for our lives, and avoid getting ahead of His plan. Everything we do for God, must flow out of our relationship with Him. It must all be ordained and powered by His Spirit, not our flesh, lest they all be dead works.
Jesus himself modeled this perfect dependence on the Father. In John 5:19, he says, "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing." Jesus' every action, every word, was in perfect alignment with the Father's will. He came not to do his own will, but the will of Him who sent him (John 6:38).
This principle applies to us as well. We may have many good ideas about how to serve God, but unless those ideas are birthed in His will, they will ultimately fall short. Like the Gerasene man in Mark 5, who begged to follow Jesus after being freed from demons, we may feel a strong pull towards a particular path, but God may have a different direction for us. He may be calling us to something else entirely, something we haven't even considered.
Galatians 5:25 encourages us to "keep in step with the Spirit." This means not getting ahead of God, not rushing into action before receiving His clear direction. It requires patience, prayer, and a willingness to listen for His voice. God often uses Scripture, circumstances, and other people to confirm His will. He may also use a period of training and preparation, equipping us for the task He has in mind.
Don't be discouraged if you're in a season of waiting. God is not in a hurry. He is working in you, developing your character and deepening your intimacy with Him. Remember, your relationship with God is your top priority. Focus on knowing Him, walking with Him, and bringing Him glory. When the timing is right, He will make His will crystal clear and empower you to fulfill every act prompted by your faith through His grace.
