For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search and find my sheep. Ezekiel 34:11 (NLT)
So often in life we think we have to earn what is given to us. In some ways that is true. We earn a paycheck. We see the results of our work when we work in the yard, around the house or on a project. But it is not true with God. There is nothing that we can do that will draw God to us.
Why? Because God is always the one initiating the relationship. Always. Let’s take a look.
All throughout the Old Testament, when God’s people continually turned toward idols, God still showed up. He still rescued them and talked to them about turning back to him. I heard one speaker say “He rejected our rejection.”
His ultimate rejection of our rejection was when he sent Jesus. It just didn’t matter what we did. He still planned for our redemption.
Jesus was crucified so we could come into God’s presence. The veil into the Most Holy Place was torn in two so we would always have direct access to God.
Jesus sits at the right hand of God mediating for us. He is forever there so our access will be open.
The Holy Spirit was given to us to speak to our hearts and to intercede for us before God when we pray.
All of this was done way before any of us decided to choose God. It was done before we made any conscious decision to follow Jesus. God reached out to us first; while we were still a mess.
Do you see? God hearing you, God responding to your prayers, God showing up in your life; it has nothing to do with whether you are good or bad. It has nothing to do with whether you are praying the right prayer or thinking perfect thoughts. It has everything to do with the fact that God loves you. He wants to be in a relationship with you and he has done everything to help you reach out to him. He’s not going to stop just because of a mistake you made. He can’t. Your life with God is based on who God is, not who you are.