Lessons From a Cat #2

It’s been about 3 months since I adopted Mochi, my rescue cat. She remains very much against being cuddled or held, and if I try, I am rewarded with a few scratches as she fights valiantly to escape my hold. I try to calm her, telling her softly that I love her, but she turns a deaf ear to my soothing words as she fights to be released. No matter how much I try to coax her to come to me, she remains distant, coming to me only when she needs something… namely food!

Sometimes it seems as though my relationship with God is similar to the one I have with Mochi. No matter how much God wants me to draw near, I resist and fight to go my own way until I need something from Him. If I have a need, I then  take the time to bring my requests to His attention… just like Mochi does with me!

Similar to me reaching out to Mochi by using words to affirm my love for her, God reaches out to me through His Word. When I listen, I hear Him, and His Word brings me comfort and security in Him and our relationship through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Here is what God’s Word says to me:

1. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” – Revelation 3:20
2. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
3. “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you…” -James 4:8
4. “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart…” – Psalm 34:18
5. “…and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” – Matthew 28:20
6. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” – Isaiah 41:10
7. “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” – John 10:28

That last verse reminds me that no one can take me away from God… not even me!

I am His and He is mine!

Jesus, my Lord will love me forever,

From Him no pow’r of evil can sever,

He gave His life to ransom my soul;

Now I belong to Him;

Now I belong to Jesus,

Jesus belongs to me,

Not for the years of time alone,

But for eternity.

(from “Now I Belong to Jesus” by Billy Speer)

“Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” – Psalm 100:3

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If God seems distant, ask yourself, “Who moved?”