Campfire conversations with God

Let me set the stage:  Introduction

I attend North Ridge Church in the greater Asheboro area in North Carolina.  I love my church. Our church motto:

Love God, Love People, Live on Mission.  

Our church does an exceptional job teaching the congregations how to achieve this goal.  
In the past few weeks our pastor has covered a series called The Hard Sayings of Jesus.
This sermon series has hit me to the core. It didn't leave me with that warm fuzzy feeling you get when listening to a radio/tv preacher who tells you what "you want to hear".  This series caused me to rethink, examine, and pray about my relationship with Christ. 
( www.northridgenow.org)  Do not Judge and Depart From Me I Never Knew You are a must to listen to if you consider yourself a christian. It's life changing.  True Story.

Stage set. Scene One

I have struggled most my christian life trying to be "good-enough" for God. Working my tail off to be the best christian I could be. I tried to read my bible more, sign up for the newest bible study, I read all the books and blogs on how to be a great christian, I listened to praise music in my car with my windows down, no doubt.  I wanted God to be proud of me.  (Notice how many times I typed the word..."I"?)  Case and Point: the "I" Problem

This "working to be good enough" for God is not an easy habit to break. When you spend over 40 plus years doing something the "wrong" way, it takes some time, a conscience effort and a sincere prayer for change. 

Scene Two:

I've heard that God wants a relationship with me. I thought, ok, that's good.  I have one.  Then I started evaluating our "relationship".  Was it  a surface relationship, or was it a "hey, I know you, high-five, I read my 1 min. devotion today, as I pass on to something else"? Or was my relationship a 911 call filled with drama I created for myself? Then there is the superficial plastic churchy relationship full of judgmental thoughts of those heathens who didn't have a fancy prayer journal like me?  I don't like those kind of people, I don't want to be that person. 

Change the Scenery:

The stage is set:  Dark starry night, full moon, cool crisp fall air, campfire, two camp chairs. Hot chocolate with melted marshmallows.

Scene Three:

I close my eyes and take a deep breath and breathe in the cool autumn air and the smell of the campfire burning.  I take a sip of my hot chocolate and lick the marshmallow off my upper lip.  As I snuggle down into my chair, I glance over at the other chair.  It's just me and God.  No TV, iPhone, music, kids, e-mails, or laundry to rush off to.

  Just us. 

I've heard it said,to "rest with God".  This must be what it's like, resting with God.
At a campsite you don't have to pretend to be something you are not.  We look around at the beauty He made, as He twinkles the stars a little brighter so that I can see the owl in the trees and the bats flying overhead as they snack on the mosquitos. He doesn't want me to worry about pesky mosquitos. He thinks of everything.  

Scene Four:

Then we talk. I can't help but thank Him for all the goodness in my life. When you start thanking God for all the good in your life, you realized how blessed you are. He loves hearing from my heart. No politically correct mumble jumble that sounds exceptionally holy and pious. No magic words that zaps me into heaven, just a belief and a relationship with God. 

Quiet Conversation.

A quiet conversation with a heavenly Father and his daughter.  It's not forced or critical. It is a calm conversation that floods you with peace from His love.  This Father who loves me for me. No fear, just love.  Deep breath, look up at the stars again and smile. This is the God I serve. I start to apologize and explain my short comings with my head bent low, then He gently touches my hand and smiles.  His loves warms my heart and his peace glows over me like the campfire. Quiet times are when I can hear Him speak to me the most. 

He didn't come to the campfire  bringing gifts, or compliments of my cute little camping outfit.  He came and gave me Himself.  His time and love is worth more than any earthly possession possible.

Curtain Closes:

It's not a religion.  It's not a neat check off list of what to do and what not to do.  It's not a performance of a lifetime. It's not a bumpersticker, bible toting, dogmatic legalistic way of life.  It's a campfire relationship with God and you. He knows your heart.

I use to cringe at the thought of camping and campfires, but now... I long for them........