Cultivate Sacred SoilSample

Day 2: Cultivate Presence:

Sin disrupted this design, but God’s heart has always been to restore that relationship. Colossians 1:19-20 tells us that through Jesus, God reconciles all things to Himself, making peace through the cross. Christ’s sacrifice opens the way for us to dwell in God’s presence again. Yet, this renewed connection isn’t automatic; it must be cultivated through intentional practices that align our hearts with Him. Like a gardener preparing the soil before planting seeds, we must clear away anything that prevents God’s presence from taking root in our lives.

Walking in the Spirit, as Galatians 5:16-18 describes, is essential to cultivating God’s presence. The desires of the flesh compete with the Spirit, creating a tension that can pull us away from God’s leading. To cultivate presence, we must surrender these fleshly desires and allow the Spirit to guide our lives. This is the daily work of weeding out sin, breaking up the hard soil of resistance, and making space for God’s truth to grow. Just as a gardener must remove rocks and weeds to ensure healthy growth, we must actively identify and remove anything that chokes our connection to God.

Another vital part of cultivating presence is worship. In Genesis 22:5, Abraham’s obedience to God is described as an act of worship. Worship is not limited to singing; it is a posture of the heart, offering your whole self to God in surrender and reverence. Each act of trust, obedience, and gratitude invites His presence into our lives, transforming even ordinary moments into sacred encounters. Worship is like watering the seeds of faith, ensuring that God’s truth is nourished and continues to grow in our hearts.

Embracing God’s Word is equally crucial. Scripture is a wellspring of God’s truth, revealing His character and guiding us in His ways. When we immerse ourselves in His Word, we create fertile soil for His presence to dwell. As we meditate on Scripture, the Spirit uses it to soften our hearts, remove distractions, and replace lies with God’s eternal truth.

Pursuing holiness is another essential part of cultivating a life of presence. Pursuing holiness involves rooting out sin and aligning our values and actions with God’s. Like a gardener removing weeds to protect the health of their crops, we must remove anything in our lives that hinders God’s work. As we pursue holiness, our lives become a clear reflection of His glory, allowing His presence to shine through us.

The work of cultivating presence can feel slow and messy. It requires effort, patience, and surrender, but the rewards are worth it. Walking by the Spirit, worshiping wholeheartedly, embracing God’s Word, and pursuing holiness all create space for God to transform us. As we tend the soil of our hearts, we’ll see the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, and more—begin to grow, evidence of God’s presence dwelling richly within us.

Today, reflect on the steps you can take to cultivate God’s presence in your life. Are there areas where you need to surrender control, embrace Scripture more fully, or remove distractions? How can you live in deeper alignment with His holiness? Trust the Spirit to guide you in this process, knowing that the seeds you plant today will lead to a harvest of faith, peace, and purpose in God’s perfect timing.

You were created for this—God’s presence dwelling within you, leading you into the life He designed. Let the breath of life He gave you at the beginning continue to revive and transform you as you faithfully cultivate His presence.