Finicky Feline Fellowship
“That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3” (KJV, emphasis added)
About six years ago my sons approached me about acquiring a pet. Due to a schedule that dictated a good degree of time away from the home in addition to the requirements of caring for a pet such as feeding, walking, entertaining, visits to the vet, expenses, license, etc., I made a case for a pet-free zone. But the holiday season soften my heart and I relented. So my oldest son went to the animal shelter and brought home two kittens: Boaz and Lila.
Boaz was affectionate, friendly and engaging. He would sit in your lap and purr. He was always open to entertain and enjoy some relaxation.
Lila, on the other hand, was cautious, fearful and untrusting. She always set the terms of connecting. Although she is in a safe, loving environment with plentiful provision she will not permit you to pick her up or rub and touch her without her approval. She has to be in control. My family and I suspect that Lila may have experienced some degree of mistreatment before she came into our home. Therefore, as a result, it is hard for her to trust people. Naturally, she is cultivating a conditional connection or what I call, feline fellowship.
Our text tells us that God favors fellowship and this desire was founded in His heart. He seeks to share and invest in an incessantly intense intimacy. Are you ready to be compassionately consumed, caught up and carried away? Consider the following truth that tells us about God’s heart for communion with us.
“I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the Lord.” Hosea 2:20 (KJV, emphasis added)
“For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and theknowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” Hosea 6:6 (KJV, emphasis added)
“The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, ‘Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.’” Jeremiah 31:3 (KJV, emphasis added)
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” (John 14:21, emphasis added)
To know that our Sovereign and Supreme God seeks a real and rich relationship with us, and desires to share His life with us for eternity should shred and scatter our self-centeredness, self-sufficiency and pound our pride to powder! It’s the facts of His love and His desire for fellowship that can free a soul from fears of the past, present and future! Does your fellowship with God resemble a neurotic feline? Free yourself from fake fellowship with God by falling out of love with yourself and fall in love with God.
For the Glory of God,
PBKSR