Time WITH God

Isn’t it so easy to get focused on the wrong thing? In life, with all the challeng- es we face, it seems that keeping our eyes on Christ amidst all the demands for our time, attention, money, etc, canbe difficult. Unless spending time withHim is a daily part of our lives. If drawing near to the Lord is as routine as all the other daily things in our lives, then we learn to see all of life in relation to Him. In other words, all of life’s experiences happen with Him in mind. When we are aware of His presence continually with us, then everything we see, feel, and do is done with Him. Colossians 3:17 comes alive, “Whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father.”

It’s amazing how when we are tak- ing time to really be with God and be in His presence in a place of silence and solitude, living in Him through out the day comes naturally. Then, when deci- sions come, going to Him and waiting onHim comes naturally. We find that wereally don’t want to do anything without knowing what the Lord wants or desires to say to us about it.

Far too often in the past I’ve found myself desiring to know God only for theblessings and benefits He may bring. Iwould take time to do my devotions so that I could know what He wanted and therefore I could do whatever was need- ed to make my family healthy, ministry successful, friendships better, or future secure. But God has been showing me how He desires to change that mind- set and simply seek Him for His own sake. He wants me just to know Him and not desire any outcome or blessing. Through this, He brings such freedom

and joy when we simply desire Him, alone. One of Henry Blackaby’s recent devotionals best explained this issue: Click here for more...