God, I Want MoreSýnishorn

If someone offered me a million dollars today to complete a marathon, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t do it.

Even if you upped the reward to two million or three, I wouldn’t have what it takes to get it done.

But if you gave me a year to train for that marathon, I guarantee you I’d cross the finish line.

That is the beauty of training over trying.

And the same is true in our walk with God. In 1 Timothy 4:7, Paul exhorts Timothy to “Train yourself in godliness.”

I love that Paul doesn’t say, try harder, wake up earlier, or pray longer. It’s about training—partnering with God as he works with us and in us, moment by moment, day by day.

Like you, I want more. I want more good things from God, but even more, I want a deeper walk with God.

Yet, all too often, I set lofty goals to be more present to him, then I dig in, try harder, and then get distracted before the week is done.

Thankfully, God’s invitation to ongoing life with him doesn’t depend on our heroic efforts.

He is already there. We are already loved. Like the “red car effect,” we simply need to notice him and keep training in “practicing his presence.”

“Practicing the Presence of God” is a phrase attributed to a humble, 17th-century monk named Brother Lawrence. Assigned to kitchen duty, he used his everyday work as an opportunity to turn chores into moments with God.

This practice brought him such contagious peace, contentment, and joy that his book, The Practice of the Presence of God, has been a cherished spiritual classic for over three centuries.

This was slow work. Steady. Consistent. A practice developed over 10 years. But it changed everything—for him and for those of us still learning from his life.

We were made for more. More peace, greater joy, and a deeper walk with God. Our longings and holy discontent invite us closer to him.

We have nothing to lose and everything to gain. God is for us in this. He loves us. And he is here.

Let’s train in the practice of noticing and enjoying him.

Today’s Prayer
Lord, help me to train in practicing your presence throughout each moment of every day. Fill me with the love, joy, peace, and satisfaction that only you can bring.

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