Be Selfish with 'Jesus'
Keep him close, and don't be so quick to 'share him'
This is something I posted to social media. It isn’t very “writer-ly” and it isn’t intended to be. Just some thoughts that I wanted to share, which I think others can learn from or be inspired by.
Be selfish with 'Jesus' Keep him close to you, and be close to him, as though you want him all to yourself. Don't be selfish with what you get from your relationship with Jesus—share it with everyone. But maintain a closeness and intimacy with the Lord as though trying to be so close to him that no one else can get close to him. This may sound a little strange, and even borderline vicious. But put it into practice and you'll understand what I mean.
How to be Selfish with Jesus:
Pray frequently
Sit in silence with him, in front of the Tabernacle.
Talk to him casually throughout the day
Reflect on something in the Gospels. Meditate on what you see there. Imagine yourself in the scene.
Read something about him in the books of the prophets, and meditate on that.
Prioritize Jesus in your thoughts, where possible. Obviously you have to think about work, family, etc. But try to keep Jesus "up front".
Here's an important component!... Don't tell others what you're experiencing in those moments of closeness. At least not yet. Keep it to yourself. You can share it later. Inviting an audience (so to speak) tends to ruin the atmosphere of "closeness".
Most of what I share in the podcast are things I experienced/learned months or years ago. It's rare that I share something current—something I'm experiencing presently, or in the moment. Whatever I'm experiencing or learning today, you won't hear about it for months later. I've come to understand the value of this "selfishness" It allows the grace to mature, and allows us to be matured by it. Only then are we wise enough and ready to share it. (Thank you, Jesus!)