As the Olympics came to a close this week, I couldn’t help but look back at all the personal stories I heard and saw, and how each athlete brought a unique journey of triumph to the table.
Some of them started in their sport later in life, but often times, there was a spark ignited early on in childhood.
Simone Biles, seven-time Olympic medalist in gymnastics, was said to have visited a gym on a field trip at the age of 6. One coach there decided to talk to her adoptive grandparents and tell them of the promise she saw in her. Years later, we are witnessing one of the greatest athletes of all time in the sport.
I wondered…what would’ve happened if that coach never said anything? What would’ve happened if her grandparents didn’t decide to act on that and faithfully take her to practice hundreds of times? They were leaders in Simone’s life, and now as an adult, she gets to enjoy the fruit of their leadership.
This past Sunday we talked about the importance of wise leadership in the home. And one specific quote from Pastor Jason is really staying with me this week:
“Obedience is not the goal, relationship is. Rules without relationship brings rebellion.”
All throughout scripture, we see that the goal of God is to have intimate and real relationship with us. He has set in place rules and boundaries that keep us safe and challenge us to go against our flesh, but at the end of it all….relationship is the goal.
In thinking about this relational God that we serve, scriptures like these stand out to me:
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20) (ESV)
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) (ESV)
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18) (NIV)
He is a personal, thoughtful and loving God that desires to know the intimate parts of our mind and spirit. In pursuing a relationship with Him, it’s important that we don’t hold back; that we don’t reserve parts of ourselves that we don’t share with Him.
Are there certain things you decide not to tell God? Are there areas in your life that go unspoken?
As an intentional parent, He wants to have those late-night conversations with us. He wants to hear our heart, and understand what makes us tick…even if that knowledge already exists in His mind. He is patient with us, willing to wait until we tell Him our burdens.
If you want a great relationship with your Heavenly Father, start by talking to Him.
Start by opening up about your day, the hard things you faced, what makes you sad or frustrated or happy and joyful. It’s not a waste of His time to hear from you. He loves each and every time you choose to spend a moment in His presence.
Here’s to a week ahead of us choosing to pause, sit on His lap, and pour out our hearts to the One who loves and cherishes us most.
Some of them started in their sport later in life, but often times, there was a spark ignited early on in childhood.
Simone Biles, seven-time Olympic medalist in gymnastics, was said to have visited a gym on a field trip at the age of 6. One coach there decided to talk to her adoptive grandparents and tell them of the promise she saw in her. Years later, we are witnessing one of the greatest athletes of all time in the sport.
I wondered…what would’ve happened if that coach never said anything? What would’ve happened if her grandparents didn’t decide to act on that and faithfully take her to practice hundreds of times? They were leaders in Simone’s life, and now as an adult, she gets to enjoy the fruit of their leadership.
This past Sunday we talked about the importance of wise leadership in the home. And one specific quote from Pastor Jason is really staying with me this week:
“Obedience is not the goal, relationship is. Rules without relationship brings rebellion.”
All throughout scripture, we see that the goal of God is to have intimate and real relationship with us. He has set in place rules and boundaries that keep us safe and challenge us to go against our flesh, but at the end of it all….relationship is the goal.
In thinking about this relational God that we serve, scriptures like these stand out to me:
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20) (ESV)
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) (ESV)
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18) (NIV)
He is a personal, thoughtful and loving God that desires to know the intimate parts of our mind and spirit. In pursuing a relationship with Him, it’s important that we don’t hold back; that we don’t reserve parts of ourselves that we don’t share with Him.
Are there certain things you decide not to tell God? Are there areas in your life that go unspoken?
As an intentional parent, He wants to have those late-night conversations with us. He wants to hear our heart, and understand what makes us tick…even if that knowledge already exists in His mind. He is patient with us, willing to wait until we tell Him our burdens.
If you want a great relationship with your Heavenly Father, start by talking to Him.
Start by opening up about your day, the hard things you faced, what makes you sad or frustrated or happy and joyful. It’s not a waste of His time to hear from you. He loves each and every time you choose to spend a moment in His presence.
Here’s to a week ahead of us choosing to pause, sit on His lap, and pour out our hearts to the One who loves and cherishes us most.
Erika Pizzo
Erika is an author of various books on the topics of faith, mental health, and victory in Christ. She also hosts the weekly podcast “Temple Care” where she provides regular messages of encouragement. Erika lives with her husband, daughter, son, and their fluffy poodle in sunny Southern California. Her two favorite things are a visit to the beach and a chai latte in hand.