The power of affection

“I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don't have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you.” 

-          Bryan Mills, (Liam Neeson),  Taken – The 2008 Spy thriller about a CIA agent whose daughter is abducted by a overseas human trafficking ring. 

There is a Christianity that we can follow that has very little to do with the person of Jesus.  In this Christendom, Christ is a far off leader, like a King or President, that does not know his people.  He cannot call them by name and he does not know the number of hairs on their heads.  In this Kingdom, we have lost our affection for him and have entered into a culture of behavior.  We stop smoking, drinking is a no-no, avoid illicit sexual behavior and we are vocal about our views on everything from being pro-life to how we educate our kids.  And our conversations are consumed with right living but the truth is we are unable to live right regardless of our views. 

Unless… 

We enter the real Kingdom of Heaven.  This Kingdom is unlike any we have ever experienced on earth.  This King knows us intimately.  He knows us by name, not a 9 digit social security number.  He readily spends time with us, whenever and wherever we are. If we decide to take the journey, he answers our questions.  He chooses affection over cold empty systems to heal our wounds.  He fights for us personally and commands an army of warriors to fight on our behalf.  This stands in contrast to earthly kingdoms that draft their young into their armies.  In this Kingdom, friends know us deeply and journey with us.  God’s presence and their presence  transform us.  

Affection is the most powerful motivator on earth. None of us are willing to die for a system of government, the business we work for, or even a finely marketed church program. But we will fight to the death for our child, or the beauty we love. Soldiers rarely come back from war talking about the country they fought for, no they tell stories of old about their buddies that fought bravely.  Consider tapping into the jealousy of a husband.  You are messing with his affections and you will be met with violence. 

I have been thinking a lot about my relationship with Jesus. If I regulate it and make it a system of does and don'ts. If I walk away from His infectious presence, the affection leaves and I am left with an empty system or way of doing things. It becomes lifeless and I stop fighting. This Monday morning consider going deeper in your affections.  Consider spending time with Jesus this week.  Consider making another decision to go all in, 100 percent in your walk with God.  Let it tap into your affections