First, I’m not talking about you feeling you are taken for granted. Nor am I referring to You taking another person for granted. I’m talking about do you take the Lord for granted? The answer is a rousing – YES. But we all do. The fact that we all do is not a license that we can… or even should. It’s a statement that we do.
I think that I would partially promote that this isn’t all bad. If you are taking the Lord for granted it must be because you Trust Him. That He is faithful. That He is always with you (me). That His Word is true. That He has proven this many times over. That’s the part that isn’t all bad. But if this is all we ever do, the sum total of our involvement with the Lord… then this is a bad. Have you ever looked at scripture to define you? Have you ever considered what it is that the Lord expects from you (me).
“And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].” [Romans 12:2]
“He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you Except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion), And to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]?” [Micha 6:8]
“But a time is coming and is already here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit [from the heart, the inner self] and in truth; for the Father seeks such people to be His worshipers. God is spirit [the Source of life, yet invisible to mankind], and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” [John 4: 23-24]
“Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth.” [2 Timothy 2:15]
“Therefore I urge you, [b]brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.” [Romans 12:1]
Shall I stop? I could go on. These scriptures represent WHO we should become and how we should act! Are these the Lord’s expectations about/from us? The easy answer is – yes and it’s a process. Granted. The difference I would suggest is in the behavior toward the one not fulfilling the ‘expected’, taking for granted.
The Lord is well aware of our weaknesses and He also is involved moment-by-moment is helping us grow in these areas. Why would He give us His armor if He didn’t want us protected? Why would the ministry of the Holy Spirit be so directed by bringing to our remembrances the Lord’s teachings? Why is the Holy Spirit our teacher/guide/standby/etc. if He wasn’t going to help us fulfill who and what we can be? Hebrews 4:15 states:
“For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin.”
And now… how do we act when what we want isn’t fulfilled immediately? Rarely a pretty picture. I would suggest the behavior we should employ is:
“7 Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who keeps on asking receives, and he who keeps on seeking finds, and to him who keeps on knocking, it will be opened.” [Matthew 7:7-8]
It’s our … and keep on… that’s important. Don’t just ‘toss a prayer’ and I would also suggest that we not turn to the Lord only in crisis situations. The Lord has made a way for relationship. Our involvement in growing and developing a personal relationship with the Lord stops us from simply assuming that the Lord, asked or not, will take care of us. Taking Him for granted is incredibly sad. This is the Creator of the Universe that is waiting for us…
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” [Revelations 3:20. NIV]
