This morning at work, I was listening to
Jimmy Needham – he’s one of my “go to” artists and I definitely recommend all of
his music – and a few verses of the song “
Clear the Stage” caught my attention:
“Tell your friends
that this is where the party ends
Until you're broken
for your sins, you can't be social.
Then seek the Lord and wait for what He has in store
And know that great
is your reward, so just be hopeful.
Take a break from all the plans that you
have made
And sit at home alone and wait for God to
whisper.
Beg Him please to open up His mouth and
speak
And pray for real upon your knees until they
blister.
Shine the light on
every corner of your life
Until the pride and
lust and lies are in the open
Then read the Word
and put to test the things you've heard
Until your heart
and soul are stirred and rocked and broken”
So, I want to ask you… how often do you truly humble
yourself before God’s throne and seek His presence? How often do you step out of your daily life,
setting apart quiet time to be still with God?
How often do you bare your heart before the Father and ask Him to transform
you, mold you, break you? And, I’m
talking about more than a daily quiet time.
If this isn't a regular part of your walk with God, then
maybe it’s time to consider asking yourself why you aren't purposefully
dwelling in the presence of God. Maybe
you’re afraid of what He’ll ask you to do or what He might say? Maybe you’re afraid that He won’t look upon
you because of the sin in your life? Maybe you are just making excuses because
you’re lazy? It’s time to get honest
with yourself and with God. The only way
we can do battle against our sin is with the power of God working in and through
us: His might, His strength, His wisdom, and His salvation for our good and His glory.
Let me encourage you to carve out special, extended time to
abide with Christ. It may mean taking an
extra vacation day or setting aside a few hours on a Saturday afternoon. Pick a spot where you can be completely focused
and free from distractions. (For me personally, I prefer to go to a quiet
lake or peaceful park where I can be outside.) Turn off your phone and leave your iPad at
home. Go alone, just you and God. Take your Bible, a notebook, and some tissues
(because I guarantee you that you will be moved to tears in the presence of our
holy God). Talk to God, use your
voice. Get on your knees and pray. Sing and rejoice because of the grace and
mercy you have been shown. Bask in His
light and love.
Purposefully abiding with Christ is such a precious privilege. Jesus came to earth, fully man and fully God,
lived the life I could never live, died the death I deserved to die, and
defeated sin and death when he rose from the grave and took his position at the
right hand of God. Because of that
profound truth, I – me! a sinner! – have been given the incredible ability to
dwell with the Most High God. You have the same privilege.
Right now as I am in a time of decision making,
it has been so crucial for me to carve out purposeful time to pursue God and
commune with him. First and foremost, my
objective is to grow in love and adoration for my Savior as I give him honor
and glory. And secondly, there are a few
things for which I need God’s wisdom and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It’s my joy to be still before the Lord. And I know that God delights in me when I
delight in Him!
So, whether you need God to speak into your life, break an
idol, free you from a sin, or exchange truth for a lie you are believing, be
purposeful about carving out intentional time to sit in God’s presence. Bow before the throne, leave your
day-to-day life behind, and soak in the goodness and faithfulness of our
Father. He will hear your cries. He will act.
He will meet you in a wave of love and grace. I promise you that
He will overwhelm you with His lovingkindess.
PS: Consider fasting in conjunction with purposeful time set apart for God. If you're interested in fasting or just want to learn more, let me point you to a series of posts by my pastor JD Greear that you will certainly find helpful and encouraging:
