“How are you today?” How often is that the greeting you hear from people you encounter every day? Is it just a greeting, like hello, or does the person really want your honest response? How will you express your feelings? What will you say?
You may struggle deciding the amount of information you want to share with a friend. Does this also apply to your conversations with God? He wants to know what’s on your heart. What are your fears, your challenges, and your joys? But God already knows your innermost thoughts and desires! Sometimes you don’t feel you should bother Him with little stuff. Even though He knows, He wants to hear it from you.
Is it hard for you to share your feelings with your spouse, your pastor or your family? For many people, privacy is foremost in their thoughts. It’s difficult to open up, ask for help or even admit areas where we need assistance with things we could handle just a few short years ago.
Look to the Psalms for some guidance. Psalm 3:1 shows David’s angst about his safety when he pleads, “Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!” And in verse seven, “Deliver me, my God!”
In Psalm 5:3 David acknowledges his Lord by praying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”
Psalm 47 starts with praise to God. “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth.”
Whether your day is full of joy or the challenges feel overwhelming, open those lines of communication. By reaching out, you are acknowledging your needs. We all need grace, we all need help, from our family and friends, but especially from God. He knows, but God also wants us to reach out to Him, just as David shouts to the Lord. Your relationship with God is not based on your emotion, but based on His promises. He never changes.
Church Extension Fund’s primary purpose is serving the congregations and LCMS organizations in the Michigan District. Since 1901 CEF has offered low cost loans for capital expansion and ministry purposes, along with competitive investment opportunities for our members. We look forward to partnering with you to help build the kingdom with your church, here in the Michigan District.
Bill Burmeister
Church Extension Fund – Michigan District
800-242-3944 bill.burmeister@mi-cef.org
