I missed Jesus

Posted By Jennifer

Recently I had been feeling a little bit of a spiritual slump. I had been reading the Word, praying, doing Bible study, attending church, but there was something missing. I wasn’t feeling devoted when I read my devotionals. I know not to judge my own spiritual conditions by feelings, because God is unchanging, but I did know that something was lacking. I couldn’t quite figure it out.

But then one thing hit me. I felt that I had some sort of unconfessed sin that was interfering with my ability to pray. I had a time of confession, mostly confessing my lackadasical attitude towards my time with God, and felt that helped me feel more connected.

Then on Sunday, my pastor preached from Matthew. Hearing the words and Jesus and the impact of His actions set something else off in mind: I missed Jesus! Being involved in two organized weekly Bible study not only keeps me reading the Word, but also studying and applying it. However, I had been studying Genesis all year, along with focusing on some of Paul’s epistles in my personal Bible reading.

I realized that even though Jesus is on every page of the Bible, including Genesis, there was something better about hearing it straight from the source. So, this week, I began reading Matthew, and it seems to be filling that void.

Matthew 5:1-6
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.

Once I realized what had been feeling wrong, it got me to thinking that I probably miss Jesus more than I should. I miss the opportunity to share the work He’s done in me; I miss the grace offered by another Christian; I miss the wonder of a new day dawning. What’s the most disturbing is when I go about my daily life and don’t miss Him for days on end.

I’m thankful that I have God’s word to turn to again and again. I’m thankful that even when I don’t miss Jesus, He’s missing me and will draw my heart back to His.

Thank you, Jesus, for all you’ve done in me and for me and through me. Keep my eyes open so I don’t miss what you are doing.

What do you do to make sure you don’t miss Jesus?

Jan 31st, 2007

7 Comments to 'I missed Jesus'

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Angel Cope said,
January 31st, 2007 at 7:56 am
Worship! I love to turn on praise and worship music and “sing” And dance throughout the house. I will either laugh or cry depending on the mood, but either way I feel closer to Him.
Elisa said,
January 31st, 2007 at 9:21 am
Jennifer, thanks for sharing your real-life struggles of missing Jesus in the midst of living for Him. I’m in the same boat as you, busy with studies, reading the Word, attending church, and I sometimes fall into that same slump, too. Besides confession, and also pumping up the praise music, I find that I feel most alive with Christ and in my times with Him after I have spent time serving others. Of course, the opportunity is always right in front of me with my family, and I have to remind myself that is true service, but I also feel really alive when I am sharing Christ with others.

Just last night I shared my testimony with 30 teenage girls and had the chance to have some one-on-one time. I saw Jesus again, face to face, last night. He was in them and in me. Even so, my quiet time this morning had that slump feel, but I think that’s because I’m holding back from pouring my heart out for these girls. Again, like you said, Jesus is there…we’re just not. It is almost “too much” to see Jesus that close and not respond, but responding is so beyond our own strength. So, maybe sometimes the slump is more our holding back from the fullness of Christ then anything else.

I’m rambling as I am processing, so maybe what I need to do is go get with Jesus!

Thanks for sending me back to Him with your post today.

Blessings,
Elisa
Susanne said,
February 1st, 2007 at 4:28 pm
“What’s the most disturbing is when I go about my daily life and don’t miss Him for days on end.” Wow, that hit the nail on the head, didn’t it.

I love to put on a praise and worship CD or DVD. If I can start my day with this it really helps me to focus on the Lord in my daily life more.
Tracy Hurst said,
February 1st, 2007 at 4:34 pm
I know exactly what you mean! As women we can get so busy “doing” that we forget to just “be” with Jesus! I too am thankful that Jesus misses spending time with us. Sometimes we can do all the right things, but we simply just need to sit in His lap and let Him love on us. I am going to do that right now - just sit in His lap and let Him love on me. Thank you for sharing and I know that Jesus is deeply in love with you Jennifer! Blessings! Tracy
Kathleen Marie said,
February 1st, 2007 at 8:37 pm
Jennifer,

This is excellent. I know at times I just get to busy do God’s work that I forget to spend time with Him. And what is more amazing is the fact that he misses me too.

Thank you for a wonderful post!

Hugs to you!
Susan (5 Minutes for Mom) said,
February 2nd, 2007 at 6:51 pm
Thanks so much for this great post Jennifer.

I am constantly letting the busyness of my life get in the way of spending time with Jesus. Thank you for the reminder!
Janice (5 Minutes for Mom) said,
February 2nd, 2007 at 9:23 pm
Oh yes - that happens to me too! Thanks for sharing.