Going Deeper Part I: Time in His Presence

“You will make known to me the way of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” Psalm 16:11 NASB

Age doesn’t matter. It really doesn’t. Not when you are staring in the face of a kid. Whether they are 3, 13 or 39…….kids want your attention. Your FULL attention. I would know, I got schooled by my middle-schooler this am. She was taking off for school at the same time I was taking the dog for a walk, and the more I chattered away, she began to go silent, then grim, and finally shut down all together. “Sissy! What’s wrong? Are you upset with me?”  I asked. 

Her response was immediate (it always is, she’s the straightest shooter I know) as she replied “Mom, I just feel like you have been ignoring me the past couple of days. Whether you’re busy when I want to talk, or I ask you a question and you don’t respond, I just feel like you haven’t really given me your attention.” 

OUCH. 

Instead of making excuses (like I wanted to) I had to own my mistake. She was right. I apologized immediately, realizing our relationship is a two way street. It’s up to her to pursue relationship with me. It’s up to me to pursue relationship with her. Connection and closeness is the goal, and I had severely dropped the ball.  As I walked the dog around the block, I took mental inventory and instead of just vowing to change, I asked God for his help. I don’t want to just try harder, I want to do better. If we are going to change in any way, we are going to need God’s help and the best place to start is with God, in his presence. Our relationship with God is foundational to everyone and everything in our lives, and to build a strong foundation we need to start there. 

There’s give and take in every relationship and it isn’t any different in our relationship with God. We don’t just need time around God, we need time WITH God. Face to face, heart to heart, spirit to spirit. 

We need to talk AND listen. 

We need to pray AND respond to his voice. 

We need to express our love to God AND receive his love and affection for us. 

Just like my daughter, we need God’s full attention AND we need to give him our full attention. Anything less affects the relationship. 

As Psalm 16 states, in God’s presence is the fullness of joy. We don’t go to God for a transaction of joy, or a joy deposit….. his presence (ie: relationship with him) is joy. Deep, rich, unadulterated relationship with God is the source of joy itself.

So what does time in his presence look like? I’d recommend you start with some of your favorite things to do with your best friend. Go for a walk. Grab a coffee. Have a conversation. In case you’re feeling stuck here’s a few suggestions that I find helpful:

-If you’re feeling overwhelmed, start with 15 min. Pick 3 worship songs, and get quiet inside. Walk through the songs, lifting praise and adoration to God’s heart. Then, be still, and mediate on a passage of scripture. 

-Tell God some of the things you’re most grateful for. Then stop, and let gratitude well up in you. Let love, enjoyment, and gratitude flow from your heart to his. 

-Celebrate a breakthrough you’ve had in prayer. Talk about it just like you would with your best friend. 

-Put on some instrumental music, or journal and let the tears flow.

-Take a walk in nature, or barefoot in the grass. Savor the fresh air, a cool breeze, blue skies etc. Let it turn your heart back to Jesus. 

-Use whatever time you have, even if it is pockets of time. Whether it is taking the dog for a walk, washing dishes in the sink, or watering plants in the garden. God can meet you anywhere, so even if you have 15 minutes use the time to connect to him, and ask for more. Ask to go deeper, for him to reveal his character and nature to you. Ask for greater intimacy. This is something God LONGS to give you, and you will be amazed to see how he reveals himself as you follow what he prompts you to do, how he speaks, leads & guides you. 

As a final thought, I really want to share this: God wants intimacy with us and real intimacy will cost us. We have to ask ourselves if this is a cost we’re willing to pay or not. However, remember that sacrifice pays off. When we give a portion of our day, our focus, our life attending to the most important relationship that we will ever have, we will be rewarded with a deeper walk with Jesus, and fullness of joy. 

Much love,

Joy