This Is LoveSample

Yesterday we saw how God draws us closer to Himself through Scripture and prayer, but here’s a danger I’ve experienced. My time with God can often become another item on my to-do list. Once it’s checked off, I tend to move on to the “real” stuff of life.

When we compartmentalize God, giving Him air time only during specific segments of our day or week, we essentially see Him as an add-on to our life rather than the very center of it.

Intimacy with God comes from practicing His presence through our day in every area of our lives. It’s only then Jesus can be the Sure Foundation of our lives, the Rock on which we stand, and the Chief Cornerstone by which the whole building holds together.

In his book, Practising the Presence of God, 17th-century Christian monk, Brother Lawrence writes, “Let us occupy ourselves entirely in knowing God.”

That sounds like a noble and worthwhile goal, but how do we do that?

Brother Lawrence gives us a glimpse of what it means to occupy ourselves with God:

“He does not ask much of us, merely a thought of Him from time to time, a little act of adoration, sometimes to ask for His grace, sometimes to offer Him your sufferings, at other times to thank Him for the graces, past and present, He has bestowed on you, in the midst of your troubles to take solace in Him as often as you can. Lift up your heart to Him during your meals and in company; the least little remembrance will always be the most pleasing to Him. One need not cry out very loudly; He is nearer to us than we think.”

Friend, in the fleeting moments of our daily lives, let’s cultivate little bursts of time to connect with God. It may not come naturally, but it’s something we can pray for and develop over time.

We grow in our intimacy and friendship with Him when we become more aware of His presence through the day, live ordinary moments for His glory, seek Him through our everyday questions, be still and know He is God, thank Him for little joys, and cry out to Him in trials both big and small,

This is love—that He is with us in every moment. May we respond to His love.

Lean In

Father God, forgive me for sometimes seeing my time with You as something I need to check off my list before moving on with my day. Lord, I pray I grow in my awe and wonder of You, so my heart’s greatest desire is to occupy myself with You. Teach me daily what it means to practice Your presence. I need Thee, O, I need Thee, every hour I need Thee. In Jesus’ name, Amen.