But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.  Romans 8:10

If Christ lives in me, I have full access to everything that He is and everything that He has promised to give to me. He withholds none of it. He plays no games. I am not used for sport. He is not emotionally unavailable. He does not make me earn His approval. As my Savior, He opens His heart and lets me in without restrictions. This level of intimacy is to extend in both directions. I have been given full access to Him and He wants full access to me.

You’re familiar with the term, “He’s dead to me.” It is usually spoken by one family member regarding a relationship he has with someone he’s closely related to. The relationship over. Access is denied. The time for reaching out has passed. The heart is closed. This, unfortunately, can describe some of the dynamics that are in place between us and God. There is an offense taken when it appears God isn’t coming through in ways we believe He should. Disappointment sets in. We may not say, “He’s dead to me”, but the estrangement is similar. We are numb to His impact. It need not be.

• If I am alive to God, His voice evokes a response.
• If I am alive to God, His feelings matter.
• If I am alive to God, His promises are lifelines and His warnings are heeded.
• If I am alive to God, His words are a rudder in my decision making.
• If I am alive to God, every obstacle that would cause me to be suspicious and distrustful of Him is addressed immediately.
• If I am alive to God, I will offer spontaneous expressions of love and worship.

If I am alive to God, I cannot keep living as though He no longer matters. I may grow quiet for a season. I may even nurse an offense I do not know how to name. But if His life is truly in me, estrangement cannot become home. Sooner or later, His voice will reach me, His love will unsettle me, and the closed places in me will begin to ache for Him again.

Thank you, Lord. I know that the ache I’ve felt when I distanced myself from you was mercy. I knew the relationship was not dead. Amen