On their return the apostles told him all that they had done. (Luke 9:10a)
After the apostles were sent and given power, they went preaching the gospel and healing everywhere, AND they came back and told Jesus about it! Just because they were sent in power by Jesus doesn’t mean they were now forever going to be in a season of outreach. They came back and shared with Jesus what they had encountered and done.
Yes, Jesus already knows the things we do, He is the one who sends us out, BUT the act of coming before God and sharing with Him the stories of what we do when we’re empowered by the Holy Spirit is a special thing.
Have You Ever
Have you ever been shooting a basketball and then you make a 3-pointer shot or sink a layup? Or maybe you get out a sketchpad and draw and then end is a beautiful artwork. Or you organize your garage or another space in your house. In all these things, don’t you want to tell your family and friends and share that excitement with them?
What about when you get into a car accident, or you get injured, or you find out you’re being laid off at work – don’t you have the urge to tell others and have their support?
Created to Connect
This inclination to share our experiences with others was created into us. We are social beings in which God created in His own image. This means that God desires to be a part of our experiences and share Himself with us too. We were created with the intention of relationship with God, so to deny that aspect of our relationship with Him just because He is omniscient is to miss out on sweet moments with our Father, Savior, and Helper.
There is another aspect to sharing with God too. Along with the excitement of joyous moments is also the hardship, the questions, and thanksgiving. We cannot forget to be grateful to God for Who He is and how He empowers us to do the works we do. Apart from Jesus we can do nothing, so we’d be awfully remiss if we didn’t thank God for everything.
A Challenge
Let me ask you this –When the dust of the day has settled, you’ve eaten dinner, and it’s time to go to bed, do you consider God before you go to sleep?
I want to challenge you to try adding something to your routine at night. And if you already do this, that’s awesome, and if not, give it a try and see what kind of difference it makes in your relationship with God:
Try taking time before sleeping (it could even be while you’re lying in bed) and share with God all that you did that day, also being mindful to thank Him for what He did in you, through you, and for you that day. Share your excitements, your joy, your sadness, your hurt, your growth, and your hope. Jesus died, killing the enmity we once had with God through His body so that we might be reconciled, no longer being enemies but friends with God. God can truly be your very best friend, if you let Him. Will you try this challenge starting tonight?
I will leave you with these verses:
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:9-11)
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things. (Psalm 107:8-9)
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)