Living in the present. This is where the Lord is drawing me, to be still, to be present, observant, aware, and utterly in awe of the person and presence of God in every facet of my life and the world that surrounds me.
A C.S. Lewis quote that has brought much conviction, and yet, a sweeter understanding of this idea:
"For the Present is the point at which time touches eternity. Of the present moment, and of it only humans have an experience analagous to the experience which God has of reality as a whole; in it alone freedom and actuality are offered them...He does not want man to give the Future their hearts, to place their treasures in it...His ideal is a man who, having worked all day for the good of posterity (if that is his vocation) washes his mind of the whole subject, commits the issue to Heaven, and returns at once to the patience or gratitude demanded by the moment that is passing over him..."
what will this look like this summer?
Living in the moment, learning to be observant. Something I learned the last time I was in Norway: I am very unobservant, which is not a strength. I miss out on experiences, I miss the chance to go deeper with friends, I miss out on critical pieces of other cultures. Why am I so unobservant? My heart and mind are focused elsewhere...I am a step ahead, I am a step behind, I am not present. If I am living in the present, not only will I experience the freedom and beauty of God, as CS Lewis describes, but I will also experience His rest while being open for God to work in me, and through me, to touch the lives of others. Living in the present, praying in the present, praising in the present. How can I remain in the present while maintaining a sweet hope in the promises of God for what is to come? By being still before Him...
being still...
inner stillness is an absolute necessity to truly knowing God. "Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46.10
"Not in the turmoil of the raging storm, not in the earthquake or devouring flame; but in the hush that could all fear transform, the still, small whisper to the prophet came...O rest, in utter quietude of soul. Abandon words, let your whole being, hushed in His control, learn the full meaning of His voice and smile..."
being still before our Holy God cultivates a reverent awe before Him and His person.
be still. be present. be in awe.
that is my prayer.
as is typical, i'll end with a few quotes :)
"Certainly I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matt 28:20). This is a very comforting promise, particularly when we consider what happens just prior to the end of the age...the plagues, famine, disease, and disasters that are documented in Revelation. Yet, God is always with us. When things are going well- He is with us. When we are troubled- He is with us. When we are going through trials- He is with us. When it seems as if God is a million miles away- He is with us. When our emotion is drained and we don't feel like singing God's praises- He is with us. In trouble and in comfort, in peril and in calm, in despair and in joy- God is ALWAYS with us." - Papa G.
"...But those who wait on the Lord will replace their strength; they will stretch out their wings as eagles. They will run and not become exhausted; they will walk and not be weary (Is. 40:30-31). 'Waiting on the Lord' This impression implies 2 things: complete dependence on God and a willingness to allow him to decide the terms. To wait on him is to admit that we have no other help, either in ourselves or in another. Therefore we are helpless until he acts...thus, 'waiting' in Hebrew is not merely killing time but a life of confident expectation. Those who give up their frantic efforts to save themselves and turn expectantly to God will be able to replace their worn out strength for new strength. How like God: He takes the useless and gives back the good." - Papa G.
"Pray like heaven and hell depend on it- for they DO!"- Pastor Moody
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