#91: “Why is He here?”

Imagine that you are at a party enjoying the fellowship of those you know and love. As you scan the crowd you notice someone who is out of place and was not invited! “Why is he here?” you ask as you cast an irritated glance his way. He is out of place and unwelcome. You wouldn’t dare ask him to leave; he isn’t causing any problems; he just is not welcome, so you just try to ignore his presence.

You notice the hired help going about serving and pleasing the guests. Their job is to meet your needs and they are doing it well. As you notice your empty cup you signal for their attention and one of the servers rush over to meet your need. Everyone is laughing, no one has a need, and everyone is content.

You notice the host. He is focused on each attendee as he gives his undivided attention to each person. You are proud to have been invited to his event. As he comes to speak to you; all of your attention and respect is given to him. He deserves it. As he speaks to you, you can tell he cares and invites your relationship. He is truly interested in you and you can sense his care. You are a guest in his house, yet you would have been pleased to have been invited to be a servant.

Now consider this, if this “party” is your life, is the Lord Jesus the unwelcome guest, the hired help, or the host?

The Unwelcome Guest

Is the Lord an unwelcome guest in your life? Does he not fit in with the activities and friends that you hold dear? The Lord knows how you consider him and he knows what place he holds in your heart. Could he be saying the following about you?

Proverbs 1:24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

If the Lord is a stranger to you, invite him back into your life. Get to know him better by spending time with him. Regard his call and seek his face. Get to know him so that you do not have to feel uncomfortable in his presence.

The Servant

Is the Lord present in your life only to meet your needs? Do you keep him around to make your life better or to access when you have a need?

If that is the case the Lord knows your heart condition.

Psalm 78:36-37 Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.

The Lord knows when he is just a tool in your life; just a servant at your party. He knows when you are keeping him around just to serve your purposes.

Can you envision your Lord standing before you with his hand out stretched and the following conversation taking place? “Dear, child, let’s talk!” And you respond with, “Not now Lord. I have no need.”

Ideally, your heart needs to be receptive to the Lord’s voice even while in a state of fullness and contentment. The Lord is not a servant in your life. He is so much more!

The Host

Deuteronomy 15:5-6 Only if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all these commandments which I command thee this day. For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.

As the host of your life the Lord is given honor, appreciation, respect, and responsiveness. He is in control and you would gladly do his bidding to show your reverence. Your life is his event and you are in attendance rather than seeing yourself as the organizer of the event and the Lord is an intruder or at best a servant.

In Acts 11 you see that the Lord is the host of Peter’s life. The Lord has a special job for Peter to do and he responded with a willingness to be used by the Lord.

Acts 11:17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

Peter was directed by God to go and deliver the gospel of Jesus Christ to an Italian centurion and his family. Peter did not hesitate and many were saved because of his willingness to go. In fact Peter remarks, “…what was I, that I could withstand God?” Peter was willing to serve his host.

Consider your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. God is so much more than a servant and he certainly should not be considered an intruder in your life. He is God, creator of this world, your Savior, and he desires to be your friend and guide. He loves you and wants a relationship with you.

Constant, consistent, close, caring; these words describe his heart toward you. May these same words be used to describe your heart toward your Lord.

Have a Conversation with your Lord:

Lord, are you an unwelcome guest, a servant, or the host in my life?

Lord, what kind of relationship do you want with me?

Lord, how do I keep you out of parts of my life?

Lord, you are welcome in my life and I desire for you to be the organizer and leader of my life. I am honored to attend and be your servant rather than expecting you to be mine…