Connecting With God: Making Time for His Presence
I have a confession to make…
Over the past month or so of diligently working on The Hem Bible Studies, God convicted my heart of something:
I had become so busy doing things for Him, that I was neglecting my first and most treasured task – Really Connecting with God.
When was the last time I had sat and studied His Word for my own personal edification, and not for one of the studies that I was writing for everyone else? When had I written a love letter to Him in my prayer journal, or created the opportunity to truly bask in His presence?
When?
Honestly, I couldn’t tell you when. I know it had been at least a month or maybe even two. Sure, I said little prayers throughout my day, and sang a few worship songs as I typed away at the computer, and those things are important.
But, my heart was longing for the intimacy that can only come from uninterrupted time alone with my Heavenly Father.
I had neglected spending time in His presence, and as I stopped to look at myself, I could tell the difference. I was struggling to hold on to the fruits of His Holy Spirit. His peace that passes understanding – His joy that strengthens me throughout my day – His love that never fails me.
How could I talk to Christians all around the world about connecting with God, when I knew in my heart that I wasn’t seeking Him as hard as I once had?
I would say to myself, “Tomorrow morning I’m going to slow down and write in my journal!” But, some urgent thing would come up that, at the moment, seemed much more…well…URGENT!
But, what could be more urgent than connecting with God? What could possibly be more needed than a fresh infilling of His Holy Spirit?
Absolutely nothing.
So, I have committed to myself, and our Heavenly Father, that I will slow down enough to spend more quality time alone seeking His face.
I will not be like Martha. Her love for the Lord was evident by her willing desire to serve Him. But, her lack of respect for His power was revealed by her assumption that He needed her service more than she needed His presence. Mary knew that the work could wait, but her need for communion with her Lord and Savior could not.
Lord, I ask that you help us all to seek you more urgently. Develop a deep hunger inside our hearts that can only be quenched by You and Your holy presence. Let us say as the Psalmist said:“AS THE hart pants and longs for the water brooks, so I pant and long for You, O God. My inner self thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God?~ Psalm 42:1-2
Let’s all make a commitment to create opportunities in our daily lives where we can bask in God’s presence and be filled with His Holy Spirit afresh and anew!
