I tell people that life is a game of chess. You have to think about the moves you make two or three moves ahead. They must be done with thought and purpose. If you’re playing checkers in a game of chess, you’ll lose. I once told one young man that he wasn’t playing either he was playing darts.
Have you ever heard one of those stories of someone meeting their spouse by chance? Like they were just in the right place at the right time. Well, I’m going to tell you how my wife and I met. We actually met at church. She was in college and was looking for a church. She happened to pick the church that I attended. She came in and was greeted by the greeter up front. I walked up after that, and was the second person that she met. It would be a long time before she and I would start a relationship, but eventually we did. Some may call it chance, some may call it fate. I say it was the hand of God working. But for this illustration I want to focus on the, by chance thought.
You see people often meet “by chance” and end up spending a lifetime together. I would say you may meet by chance, but you won’t stay together that way. You’ll have to do it on purpose. There will be things that you may have to change. There may be things that you won’t like at times. You don’t just walk away or stop trying. No, you’re committed and you have to work at it.
You see, any relationship takes work and learning. This includes a relationship with Jesus. You don’t just have a relationship with Jesus by chance. No, you have to do it on purpose. Many times we want to leave all the work in our relationship with Jesus up to Him. That’s not a very healthy relationship if only one side is contributing. We have to spend time with Jesus. We have to talk with Him, read His Word, and fellowship with Him. Remember that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6 KJV).
Just like you love your spouse and are committed to them. You work on your relationship on purpose with them. If you want a relationship with Jesus you need to understand it will happen on purpose with commitment. You can’t do it by accident. So live for God on purpose.
Revelation 3:20 KJV Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Colossians 3:23 KJV And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;