I sat in a cafeteria the other morning. I was tired. I was spending time in the word of God before getting into the meat of my activities for the day. The presences of the Lord was strong as I sat and listened to the Holy Spirit in this public place. I did not really want to leave….
Why there? There are some places that make it easy to meet with God. This time I am pretty sure it was not about the location. I think it was more about the condition of my heart and soul…hungry and needy.
I am exhausted. I have been in transition for years. This is a statement of fact, not a complaint. I am constantly making decisions and discerning from God the next steps in this season of transition.
I am hungry, not for cafeteria food, but to experience the presence of God with me in the midst of these transitions. I have found that when I am in need of God, and I look for signs of Him in and around me instead of settling for a substitute. I am more apt to feel “strangely warmed” by the presence of God than when I am not looking. Because I have cultivated a practice, I can usually connect regardless of surrounding conditions.
I am at or beyond the edge of my personal resources. That is actually a really good “place” to be to meet God.
I used to feel the need to try to show up with my life as in order and as “together” as possible. The older I get the less I am concerned with anything that resembles having my act together. The more exposed and vulnerable I am, the more real my relationship with the Creator becomes. I can’t pretend in this relationship. Every hair on my head is numbered by the one who created me. Every breath I take is accounted for before I even take one. I cannot surprise God. Yet, the one who created me surprises me day in and day out with His attention to detail in my life.
Sure, I miss a lot of it, but when I choose to be open and look for it, I see the handiwork of God all around me. It may be a spring blossom; protection from accidents as I drive or the handy parking place I asked for when I am running errands. The best ones are things like an unsolicited phone call from a friend to check in or an unexpected hug. These are all little kindnesses that Abba extends to us every day.
What is the condition of your heart? The more you are at the end of your natural resources the better able you are to find the one who loves you and sent His son to die so you can be connected in every location and situation. They key, from my experience, is to ask and look. This old chorus is a favorite of mine:
“Turn you eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”
This was written in 1922 by Helen H. Lemmel. Please find her full lyrics below. I discovered these verses for the first time when I looked up who wrote the chorus today. As God will have it, they fit what I wrote before I found them. May Abba bless you and help you to turn your eyes upon Jesus!
- O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!- Refrain:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
- Refrain:
- Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conqu’rors we are! - His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
