I am the gate, the only way to have life. You will be saved, only because you came through me. You may come and go freely into my presence, and will find your spirit satisfied and at peace. The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give you an abundant and satisfying life. A life so filled with purpose and wonder that you praise me in great joy! (Spoken to Nicole from John 10:9-10)
When I say I love to be in the presence of God, it is a vast understatement. I treasure, I long, I hunger... being in His presence. As you spend more time with God, the more you want to be near him.
A few years ago now, I didn't understand what it meant to be in God's presence. There was a woman in our church that emanated God's glory, from the very soles of her feet to the silver gray hair on her head. I used to physically love being next to her, talk to her , be with her. When I looked into her eyes as we spoke she had a visible excitement and joy. A glint in her eye, that seems to reflect from deep down in her heart. I wanted what she had, and so I used to sit next to her and pray that I could have what she had. I knew it was God's glory in her that I wanted. I was frustrated that my own Christian walk did not reflect the glory of God. So I began to look at what I did reflect.
My hearts reflection was not ugly, but it did contain many blemishes (and it still does), and the enemy wasted no time in pointing them out to me. He came to steal my joy by tearing at what I did have, whispering words of negativity. He came to kill any spark and desire to seek God's glory. And he came to destroy the work God was doing in my heart. I found shelter in the Word of God. I devoured the Word of God. I mean I drank of it, until I drowned out the enemies lies.
When I lifted my eyes to God and focused all of my attention on Him, the more I learned about being a new creation, a daughter of God, his little girl. I used to spend many hours at night (and still do) curled up on his lap, listening to his words, filling my heart with his light. The more time I spend with God the more I realise that I now no longer want to be like that woman at church, instead I rejoice with her. We are one in heart, one in spirit, one with God. Until this day, she is one of my closest sisters in God.
When was the last time your curled up on your Heavenly Daddy's lap and let him stroke your hair, while you shared your heart? Did He whisper 'I love you' and 'I am so glad you are mine'? Did he take all of the hurt from your heart and the worries from your mind? Did he replace them with his peace and a warm glow from the fire of his love?
He is waiting, watching, adoring, beckoning...
Come and bask in the glow of his radiance...
Come and dance in the splendour of his royal courts...
Come and be drenched with perfect love...
Come and let peace flow unhindered through your bones...
Come and be free to worship him in spirit and truth...
Then...
Go and walk in obedience to His word...
Go and share the overflowing love...
Go and touch the heart of a hungry soul...
Go and reflect the wonder of his radiance...
Go and bring joy to the life of others.
Hi Nicole,
ReplyDeleteWow, were we ever thinking along the same lines today!! I just finished posting a blog thought and then saw your title and had to come over to have a read. I love it when things like this happen.
Blessings,
Paula
That's awesome Paula! Have just read your blog post. How cool is it that we both received the same words! :)
ReplyDeleteLove Nicole
What a beautiful encouragement Nicole.
ReplyDeleteI've just come back from the Easter Convention and am feeling so excited about talking to God. I felt like he encouraged me to pray to Him in a particular way and I'm putting that into practice. xx
I am so excited that God has given you a special new way to share with him. What a beautiful gift.
ReplyDeleteI would love to go to a meeting like that one year.
Hugs to you xx