RLC Day 1: Being

Jesus asks, “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). 

We are beginning a 40 day challenge at St. John, of reading the words of Jesus and doing the things he calls us to do. We start with being: deepening our relationship with Jesus by spending time with him and reflecting on his word and character. There are four practices that deepen our relationship with Jesus:

• Spending time with Jesus
• Worshiping with others
• Reading the Bible
• Praying

Being with Jesus is essential to doing what Jesus commands. For that reason being is foundational and of primary importance.

This is a challenge for me. I’m not inclined toward just “being” with anyone. I want things to happen. I want to do things. I get bored with inactivity and inertia.

That shows up one way in how I keep my email inbox absolutely empty. My goal each day is to empty my inbox. I use it as my check list, and if I don’t need to act right then, I will often just put it into an appointment on my calendar. (I just checked, and I’m happy to say my email inbox still empty. I’m serious about this!)

Being means that I’m at peace with God and with myself. It means that I embrace the grace and truth of who Jesus is and rejoice in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It means that I pray to him both by expressing the desires of my heart, and by listening to his voice and seeking to know his word.

So now is the time to be with Jesus. There will be time for doing. But for now, I will just be. Will you join me?