A while ago I came across this diagram of a wheel with 4 spokes that represented the basics of the Christian life. Attention to the basics of living in a relationship with God is the best way to grow, remain close and be aware of Him for a lifetime. When we find ourselves in confusion or a spiritual slump, getting back to basics will help us to be on solid ground again.
The basics can be expressed in this simple “wheel diagram” and careful attention to these basics of living in a relationship with God is the best way to remain close and aware of Him for a lifetime. When we find ourselves in confusion or a spiritual slump, if we can get back to basics of our Christian walk we will find ourselves on solid ground again.
The wheel shows four spokes: prayer, study, service, and community. Two of the spokes – prayer and study – are vertical and have to do with the relationship between us and God. The other two spokes – service and community – are horizontal and have to do with the relationship between us and other people.
These 4 spokes are basic ways in which the power of God and a relationship with Him can be brought into our daily lives.
When all four spokes are in place, our lives are steady and well balanced. When one or more spokes are damaged or missing we get out of balance and off kilter and our life and relationship with the God becomes a rather bumpy ride.
1.The first spoke on the wheel is Prayer.
Our goal is not “to pray,” or even “to pray well,” but to know Him and to grow in our personal relationship with God.
There is a lot of material on how to pray, when to pray, where to pray, how often to pray, and so on. It can become overwhelming: But in actual fact prayer really is very simple. It is a matter of loving God and being loved by him, of speaking (if it is a necessity) to God and letting him speak to us. It’s not so complicated after all.
“God intended that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’(Acts 17:28)
The basics of our relationship rest in the understanding that He is all around us. When we invite him to share our life He is in us, and we are in Him. Life with God is about knowing Him and being close. That friendship motivates us to stay close, not wanting to “Do, say or think anything that would offend Him”
Prayer can be like two old friends sitting on a park bench who’ve known each other for 50 years. They absolutely enjoy each other, and they enjoy looking at the park. They don’t feel like they have to say or do anything. They just enjoy being together.
In our busy, doing world the biggest battle in prayer is that we will ask ourselves “Shouldn’t I be doing something?” The answer is No, we can just enjoy being more aware of Him. Everything flows out of that place and space and whatever He may ask of us to bless others then flows from the overflow of our hearts.
God takes pleasure in us, and He wants to be wanted and the greatest way we can love Him is to receive His love, and not forget or overlook Him in our daily lives.
Determine to get back to basics today and to practice those things that will set you on a solid and sure foundation for life and your relationships with God today.
Prayer: Lord thank you that that I can come to you and simply enjoy being with you. I don’t have to do anything. Help me to wait and listen; not to the sound of the outer world, but to the quietness and peace that is found in your love. In Jesus Name Amen.
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