Years ago (twenty three to be exact), I gave birth to my firstborn! The ‘oohs and ahhs’ of pregnancy didn’t prepare me for the first few weeks of motherhood.
The recovery from surgery, the sleepless nights, the feedings, the zombie mode… all blessings, but definitely an adjustment.
Since we weren’t planning on “officially leaving” the house until our newborn was 8 weeks old (which is apparently a “thing” I knew nothing about), I truly appreciated friends who would stop by for a visit. I looked forward to some adult conversation!
When our baby was a few weeks old, two of my girlfriends called and asked if they could come by to see the baby! I was thrilled!
I couldn’t wait to catch up. Their babies were a few years older than mine. I was excited to swap stories, ask questions and glean any advice they could offer!
But the visit didn’t go exactly like I had planned.
They came. I don’t even think they sat down. They dropped off a couple of gifts, saw the baby and left. It turns out they were in a hurry and on route to another gathering.
It’s been twenty three years, but I still remember how disappointed I was. This isn’t about my friendship with them. (We are good!!!) I knew it wasn’t anything personal. They just didn’t know. And I know I’ve been guilty of doing the exact same thing. With friends, with family- but most often with God.
In the book of Micah, the prophet Micah speaks to the people addressing and calling out the sin of Israel. In Micah 6, the prophet speaks straight from God’s heart.
“Listen to what the Lord is saying…”
“Should we bring him burnt offerings? Should we bow before God Most High with offerings of yearling calves? Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins?”
“No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:6-8 NLT
God’s desire for His people was and still is so simple! To do what is right. To love mercy. To walk humbly with Him.
Did you catch that last part?
God wants to take a walk with us! My love language is quality time, and it sounds like His is too.
Like Adam in the cool of the day. God longs for that kind of friendship with me. Like Enoch, like Elijah- who walked with the Lord so closely, He couldn’t help but scoop them up.
God desires a closeness with us that goes so far beyond checking a box.
I don’t know about you, but as we approach a new year- I am challenged to plan more “date days with God.” That might sound strange, but what I mean is, I want to plan more scheduled ‘one on one’ time with Him. More time to linger in His presence. To hear from Him. Swap stories. Ask Him questions. And glean from his infinite wisdom.
The prophet Micah keeps it simple, but real.
THIS is what Our Lord longs for from us.
To do what is right. To love mercy.
To walk humbly with Him.
~Binu
