How often are we telling truths without touching them? When we say "amen" after our prayers, why does it seem like we are dismissing God instead of reaffirming His presence?
It seems we'd rather get on with our business rather than be interested in the Lord's plans. We may not be aware of it, but it is due to our comfort to be governed by our self habits.
The possibility of this happening does not diminish just because we label some of the things we do as "christian". When we surmise about situations instead of offering them to God WE REMAIN WITHIN OURSELVES.
Ironically, we can do the surmising about things even while we are praying if we are not careful. Our prayer does not become an offering unless it is given over to God, knowing He is in command. Spirituality is not a self-imposed discipline... it is touching God.
Once when Jesus was on His way through a crowd of people who were pressing against Him so much that He was almost crushed, a woman subject to bleeding came and touched the edge of His cloak and immediately her bleeding stopped.
Are we part of the crowd bumping into Jesus and receiving nothing, or do we really touch Him? Religiousity and personal pride prefers to keep Jesus at bay rather than experience Him totally. This is exemplified in Luke 7:36-39.
"One of the Pharisees invited Him to eat with him; He went to the Pharisees house and took His place at the table. A woman who was living an immoral life in the town had learned that Jesus was there and had brought oil of myrrh in a small flask.
She took her place behind Him, by His feet, weeping. His feet were wetted with her tears and she wiped them with her hair, kissing them and annointing them with the myrrh. When His host the Pharisse saw this he said to himself,\
'If this fellow were a real prophet, he would know who this woman is that touches him, and what sort of woman she is, a sinner.'"
He wondered why Jesus would allow this. Later, we find out the reason she did this was because she experienced the forgiveness of God. One is touching God and pouring out her love, while the other speculates within himself about religious matters. To have the Lord in our vicinity is not enough- we must touch Him.
Unless this happens we render the presence of God impotent!
What should we do? We change our point of resource. God knows how to turn our hearts from ourselves into communion with Him.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me and the life I live in the flesh I live by faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:20).
The proof that we are touching God is that whatever environment we are in {whether the company of others that tempt us to place importance on the thoughts of men;
or circumstances that urge us to turn our thoughts inward to address our feelings}, we still remain directly connected with the Lord of all, and thus act like Him.
