When I drop my wife off at the airport for a trip, my heart always has an empty feeling. It’s as if part of me is flying away. I drive down the freeway in somewhat of a disassociated fog for most of the way home, but it helps if I start thinking about breakfast. Sitting at my favorite breakfast spot, I feel better with each bite. Still I feel alone.
When I apply my attention to the day’s news, I’m drawn back into the trivial pursuit of modern life, and it helps. By the time I’m back home, I’m feeling a bit better and thinking that not having to compromise for a few days is a good thing. But I still miss her warmth and laugh.
Loving someone is an interesting condition. It causes desires and reactions that are sometimes surprising. When we love someone, we desire to touch them, and we smile when they come into view. We step toward each other with anticipation in our hearts and find comfort in each other’s presence. We not only find comfort in loving arms, but we also find confirmation of our worth.
Warm hearts are not a part of barren religious duty—neither is missing Jesus.
A child of God can judge their true spiritual condition by how much they desire to abide (or remain) in the relationship they have been given as a branch on the Vine. Unfortunately, many come to Jesus but fail to remain resting in His sufficiency. They dry up emotionally and must be pruned—sometimes back to the branch’s bud of life given to them when they were born again. Only a painful pruning can teach some of God’s children how much they need Jesus.
After these thoughts, I remembered if I didn’t kiss the Son, He would be angry (Psalm 2:12). My soul then began a mournful lament that wondered whether I truly loved Jesus. Or did I only miss Him when the Father had to prune my soul?
Abide in Jesus and you will find tender love that doesn’t fly away.
(Photo courtesy of morguefile and Dzz.)
(For more devotions, visit us at www.christiandevotions.us.)
The Rev. Dr. Bob Segress served as a licensed psychological clinician for twenty-five years. Upon retiring, he served for fifteen years as a prison minister. Retiring again, he began writing full-time after a period of boredom. He has written: The Biblical Approach To Psychology while serving as a college educator, The Shelton Series, and, in 2012, Ten Years Inside Shelton Prison. Currently, he writes for several publications such as Halo Magazine.