Practicing the Presence of God
“He does not ask much of us, merely a thought of Him from time to time, a little act of adoration . . . 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."
- Brother Lawrence
I am sitting in Starbucks, a little embarrassed, sort of trying to hold back tears. Sometimes words strike you. For me, my heart has been affected by so many "hidden gems" as I call them. Typically I find them in books about faith or stories written by classic Christian writers like C.S. Lewis or George MacDonald. But my heart has certainly been hit many times by unrealized or forgotten truth. It can evoke so many different feelings: sorrow, wonder, inspiration, beauty, remorse. Truthful words help me grow, and make me feel alive. They are a constant encouragement and teacher to me.
These words from Brother Lawrence, a cook in a monastery during the 1600's, evoke grace, love, and wonder for me.
My last post was about struggling to be still. It's something I'm continually having to repent of. And I'm not talking about taking naps. I can nap like no other. I'm talking about stilling my spirit to hear from and be with Jesus. So today, I decided to go to Starbucks because what better place to connect with Jesus? No sarcasm intended. I've had some very meaningful encounters with Jesus in coffee shops.
Anyway, I got here and my thought was to listen to worship music and read my Bible, but that idea didn't seem very attractive to me. I decided to listen to worship music and write, instead. And since this practice of being still has been on my heart, I wanted to express my thoughts about it. I'm a very external processor. I know, I know. Writing about being still is not the same as doing it! But just hear me out. Thanks to Brother Lawrence, (who I would love to meet), I had a revelation.
This idea of spending time with Jesus can be overwhelming to me sometimes, because I feel like I have to spend an hour every day with Him. But Brother Lawrence is saying something that completely alters my way of thinking, and it's even Biblical (Wow!). God's Word tells us to pray without ceasing, which sounds VERY time consuming if you take it literally. But what Brother Lawrence is saying about this is that it's not about being on your knees and reading your Bible for hours a day. It's not about feeling guilty because you didn't devote so many minutes or hours of your day to God. Didn't Jesus accuse and sorrow over those who were legalistic about their relationship with Him? (the answer is yes, yes He did!).
Brother Lawrence embraced the practice of the presence of God which is living continually in the realization that He is there with you, unceasingly, ready to commune with, guide, and love you. God never takes His attention away for one second, not even to check His text messages or take a phone call. His focus is on ME. It's on YOU. Always. As Lawrence says, He doesn't ask much - merely a thought of Him from time to time, or an act of adoration. He asks that we recognize He is with us. That doesn't mean we have to devote our every second DOING things for Him.
I think it means we share our hearts with Him, and tell or ask Him things throughout the day. It means sometimes we stop and listen for a moment. Maybe when we're in the car, or doing dishes, or when we wake up in the morning. He's there, waiting to be seen. Do you see Him? Do you hear Him?
I have a long way to go. But my hope is that with consistent conversations with God (no matter how short), and moments of honoring Him (which there are so many ways to do that!), it will one day become natural for me to hear from Him and see my surroundings from His perspective.
Thank you, Brother Lawrence, for reminding me that I need not cry very loudly (or long). That God is nearer than I think. And that He delights every time I look at Him.
May He see more and more love and intention in my eyes as I grow in remembering His Presence. Amen.
- Brother Lawrence
I am sitting in Starbucks, a little embarrassed, sort of trying to hold back tears. Sometimes words strike you. For me, my heart has been affected by so many "hidden gems" as I call them. Typically I find them in books about faith or stories written by classic Christian writers like C.S. Lewis or George MacDonald. But my heart has certainly been hit many times by unrealized or forgotten truth. It can evoke so many different feelings: sorrow, wonder, inspiration, beauty, remorse. Truthful words help me grow, and make me feel alive. They are a constant encouragement and teacher to me.
These words from Brother Lawrence, a cook in a monastery during the 1600's, evoke grace, love, and wonder for me.
My last post was about struggling to be still. It's something I'm continually having to repent of. And I'm not talking about taking naps. I can nap like no other. I'm talking about stilling my spirit to hear from and be with Jesus. So today, I decided to go to Starbucks because what better place to connect with Jesus? No sarcasm intended. I've had some very meaningful encounters with Jesus in coffee shops.
Anyway, I got here and my thought was to listen to worship music and read my Bible, but that idea didn't seem very attractive to me. I decided to listen to worship music and write, instead. And since this practice of being still has been on my heart, I wanted to express my thoughts about it. I'm a very external processor. I know, I know. Writing about being still is not the same as doing it! But just hear me out. Thanks to Brother Lawrence, (who I would love to meet), I had a revelation.
This idea of spending time with Jesus can be overwhelming to me sometimes, because I feel like I have to spend an hour every day with Him. But Brother Lawrence is saying something that completely alters my way of thinking, and it's even Biblical (Wow!). God's Word tells us to pray without ceasing, which sounds VERY time consuming if you take it literally. But what Brother Lawrence is saying about this is that it's not about being on your knees and reading your Bible for hours a day. It's not about feeling guilty because you didn't devote so many minutes or hours of your day to God. Didn't Jesus accuse and sorrow over those who were legalistic about their relationship with Him? (the answer is yes, yes He did!).
Brother Lawrence embraced the practice of the presence of God which is living continually in the realization that He is there with you, unceasingly, ready to commune with, guide, and love you. God never takes His attention away for one second, not even to check His text messages or take a phone call. His focus is on ME. It's on YOU. Always. As Lawrence says, He doesn't ask much - merely a thought of Him from time to time, or an act of adoration. He asks that we recognize He is with us. That doesn't mean we have to devote our every second DOING things for Him.
I think it means we share our hearts with Him, and tell or ask Him things throughout the day. It means sometimes we stop and listen for a moment. Maybe when we're in the car, or doing dishes, or when we wake up in the morning. He's there, waiting to be seen. Do you see Him? Do you hear Him?
I have a long way to go. But my hope is that with consistent conversations with God (no matter how short), and moments of honoring Him (which there are so many ways to do that!), it will one day become natural for me to hear from Him and see my surroundings from His perspective.
Thank you, Brother Lawrence, for reminding me that I need not cry very loudly (or long). That God is nearer than I think. And that He delights every time I look at Him.
May He see more and more love and intention in my eyes as I grow in remembering His Presence. Amen.
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