"Visiting" with GOD!

 

Yesterday, I had a surprise visitor at church. Right around lunch time I got a visit from an "old" friend from high school. It is amazing that I had to come all the way to New Castle to catch up with him. A couple at church who are his neighbors made the connection and now we realize that we live only a few miles apart from each other. It was so great just sitting and visiting with him. 

Is it just me? Or is the art of "VISITING" with people a long LOST ART in our society. The days of just going over to someone's house and talking, no agenda, no premade plans, and no schedule of events doesn't happen much any more. Our schedules are jam packed with activities that leave very little time for "idol chat" or what we used to call "VISITING." I miss it. We have substituted facebook, instagram and X to get caught up with our friends, family, and former classmates.  Following a friend on SOCIAL MEDIA is definitely NOT THE SAME as sitting in the living room chatting face to face.

Today I read the two short books of 2nd and 3rd John. Strangely enough the verses that caught my attention were very much the same:

"I have much more to say to you, but I don't want to do it with paper and ink. For I hope to visit you soon and talk with you face to face. Then our joy will be complete. Greetings from the children of your sister, chosen by God." (2 John :12-13, NLT)

"I have much more to say to you, but I don't want to write it with pen and ink. For I hope to see you soon, and then we will talk face to face. Peace be with you. Your friends here send you their greetings. Please give my personal greetings to each of our friends there." (3 John :13-15, NLT)

I love sitting down and chatting with people. I love that John says "our joy will be complete" when he gets the chance to talk face to face. Blogs, posts, texts, emails, facetime and instant messages are fine, especially when miles separate us from family and friends. But there is nothing better than FACE TO FACE human interaction where you can FEEL THE CONVERSATION. 

I think that lost pass time has affected our ability to sit in the presence of God. We don't know how to carry out a conversation with people and when we sit in God's presence we don't know how VISIT with God either. Prayer should be like that old time sitting around on a Sunday afternoon talking about nothing, but also talking about everything. If God truly is our friend, just sitting and talking is a great way to get caught up, to know his desires for our lives and to share our own. God would love a VISIT with you!