Sorting by

×

Category: The Interior Life

Posted on

Turn aside from all else. 

This is the secret of encountering Jesus. He is already fully with us. He could not be more with us. But this turning aside is our intentional, intense, singular gaze at Christ within. 

When precious Holy Spirit breathes on our weak hearts He carries us into the chamber awareness of God’s presence, and helps us recognize Christ in us. This is why He is called The Helper. We cannot do this without His great and loving help. Even if we are not hungry for Him, even if we are not filled with longing, even if our hearts feel cold, if we will simply ask, He will provide the fire from heaven. He always says yes to the feeblest cry for more.  

Like Moses in the desert, we turn aside to behold the mystery of the One who burns with fiery love. It was when Moses made this choice to turn aside, that God called out to him. This is our greatest experience, to hear His voice, to enjoy sweet communion with Him, to be completely preoccupied with His beauty. As we slip away from all other distractions and demands, He becomes our life’s  magnificent obsession.  When we say, “Come Lord,” it is not because He is not here. It is just a realization that He is here. And saying, ‘Come,” is giving a voice to our innermost longing and utmost welcome of His beautiful Person.

“For we come to God in faith knowing that he is real and that he rewards the faith of those who give all their passion and strength into seeking him.” Hebrews 11: 6

Posted on

How many teeth does an alligator have?

God invented smiling. He invented the whole universe. He is the smartest person there is. He knows everything and everyone inside out. He knows how many feathers are on each peacock and how many teeth every alligator has. He knows how to make lightning, bumble bees and planets. There is nothing that is too hard for Him to figure out.

From “How to Enjoy God All the Time”

Posted on

Struggling to Love

If you struggle to love someone who you know is living in sin…

If you are afraid that if you really love them, they’ll think you agree with their choices…

If you hesitate to show them kindness and mercy because that could send the wrong message…

Then ask yourself, does God struggle to love me when I sin?

Does God withhold love from me because He doesn’t agree with my choices?

Does God hesitate to show me kindness and mercy because that could send me the wrong message?

Jesus gave us one commandment: love one another as He loves us. I’m not sure I’m very good at this yet. But I want to love like He loves.

I want to be Father’s arms to the prodigals, and Jesus’ hands to the lepers. I want to have a heart like an open door that Holy Spirit can just flow out of me.

I don’t have to identify people by their sins. (Jesus doesn’t)

I don’t have to abandon my beliefs in order to love. (Jesus doesn’t)

I just have to love.

The new commandment Jesus gave us to love one another doesn’t have an asterisk next to it that reads, *except people who…..

And it wasn’t a suggestion. It’s not an option.

If you read all this and you honestly want to love like Jesus loves, then ask God to go to work on your heart first. Ask Him to change your heart, before you ask Him to change others.

I wonder what would happen if there was a love movement? If those who follow Jesus would be known as the greatest lovers of all time? What if we loved as He loves us?

Posted on

Rest a Little

Let yourself be off duty for a few minutes. Most of what we expect of ourselves is tragically false responsibility anyway.

I had some surgery recently. Wouldn’t it have been ridiculous of me to make suggestions to the surgeon as he worked? Or worse, try to operate on myself? (Although I did see that in a movie once, where a doctor operated on himself to remove a bullet. It was truly gruesome!)

No. All I did was fall asleep in the operating room. The capable physician did all the rest. My part was consent and surrender. In other words, “Yes, and Amen.”

So, if you can, take a little break today. Sit quietly, and offer the Great Physician your “yes and amen.” Rest, my dear. Let go of your terribly busy life for a few moments and just be His.