Time Well Spent

Relationships are rewarding. Maintaining a good relationship with someone requires a whole host of ingredients that can be boiled down to one word: time. I wouldn't feel a close tie to someone with whom I never spent any time. Nor would I feel comfortable sharing my innermost thoughts with someone I didn't know and trust. I think about those who are important to me, my family and friends. I relish the moments I've been able to spend with them, sharing in conversation, or merely being there during a time of need. Relationships are never one-sided. Sometimes I am on the giving end and other times I am the one in need. It's accurate to say that it takes time to develop a close relationship.

I was reminded today of Joshua, defined in the book of Exodus as Moses' minister (24:13; KJV). No doubt, Joshua and Moses shared a special relationship. Imagine all Moses had to relay to Joshua to train him for the monumental task of leading the children of Israel into the promised land. Deuteronomy 34:9 gives us a glimpse of this incredible man, Joshua, "And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses." (KJV)

Was Joshua 'full of the spirit of wisdom' because of his relationship with Moses? Rewind to Exodus 33, where we're given a clue, "7 And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one which sought the Lord went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp...11 And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto a friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle." (7, 11; KJV, emphasis mine) Moses was a great man of God, but Joshua understood that he wasn't meant to experiece God through Moses, he had to have his own personal, relationship with God.

What a joy to know that God doesn't intend for us to have a secondhand relationship with Him. His invitation for us to know and believe Him is clearly stated in Isaiah 43:10, "Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me." (KJV) All it takes is time. Time to sit at His feet and hear from His Word. Time to praise Him for who He is. Time to make my requests known to Him. Time sharing my innermost thoughts with Him. Time spent in sweet fellowship.

Bobbi, a missionary to Central and Eastern Europe, shared her insight in her devotional titled, Surrendering Life Goals, "As I experience God at work around me, no longer do I want a life based on possibilities and visions of chance, a life spent trying to make dreams come true. I want a God-planned and purpose-filled life. And I want others to experience the same. I want others to know that our loving God has something more for us than our own personal wants. He offers the reality of a living relationship with Himself and an abundant life filled with possibilities that we cannot begin to imagine." (Voices of the Faithful, Beth Moore, p. 314)

It all begins with a decision. Do I want a close relationship with my Heavenly Father? If so, I must be willing to spend the time necessary to get to know Him. He is who He says He is. Do you desire a close relationship with Him, today? If so, I guarantee it will be time well spent!