One of the most painful things a person can experience in any kind of relationship, is the pain of feeling used. You think that you mean something to somebody; you invest in the relationship, believing that it has a future, but then you are forgotten and simply cast aside.
Perhaps it was a friend who you grew up with and shared many experiences but after a small disagreement that friend cuts off all contact. Or even a family member who turns his back on you for nothing. Many who were cheated on in a relationship have gone as far as saying that for them, feeling used was more painful than the actual betrayal!
The sad thing is, that many ‘believers’ are treating God in this very same way! They go to church asking for a particular blessing – a healing or help for a loved one, or even prosperity. They do whatever it takes to obtain that blessing: fasting, praying throughout the night, increasing church attendance and even participating in church activities.
Then they get the blessing and things change.
They start slowing down on everything they were doing for God, until they finally stop. All those promises they made are forgotten and even their prayers are few and far between. How sad! Imagine how God must feel.
We see this very example with the ten lepers. After their healing nine of them disappeared and only one came back. (You can read about this in the Gospel of Luke 17: 11-19)
The saddest part is that those who treat God like this are forgetting one key thing: God is more than just a provider. He is our Father – our Savior.
Salvation is the core reason for Jesus coming to this earth and sacrificing Himself on the cross. Yes, Our Lord Jesus wants you to have the best of this land, but He wants to give you more than just a healing or another blessing. He wants to set you up forever. He wants to save your soul.
Jesus said to the one leper who did return:
“Arise, go your way. Your faith has madness you well.” In other words, you are healed (provided for) and saved too.
Taking care of your salvation enables you to fight intelligently for your blessings, but chasing blessings does in no means guarantee your salvation. So, ask yourself this: are you treating Jesus like a Savior or just a provider?
Don’t feel bad if you have only been chasing blessings, just take a decision to change the way you approach God and seek salvation first; make it a priority. Tell God that you do not want to ‘use’ Him but are in the relationship for the long run! In turn He will take care of all your needs and save your soul.
May the God of the Bible bless you.
Bishop Joshua Fonseca
