The Soaking

As I sit here typing tonight rain is falling down outside the window.

It's one of those peaceful, gentle rains that leaves everything feeling fresh the next day.
Somehow it seems to dust off the plants and trees so they will glisten with a vibrant light in the morning sun.

This soaking rain is similar to how God wants us to experience His presence.

He longs to sit with us, to envelope us with His love like the rain covers the grass outside.

For many years I tried to sustain my walk with the Lord through devotions done more out of obligation then desire.
I was taught in Youth Group that you should read your Bible every day. 
Period. 
No Excuses.

How many mornings did I dread having to wake up early and read my Bible just to turn to one scripture, read it, then go back to sleep?
I had done my duty.

As I grew older and began to mature I learned that our time with God can be so much more then just mundane responsibility.

It can be much more then something we check off our daily to do list.

Our Abba Father longs to encounter us with His peace, His grace, His soaking assurance that in His presence everything in life really is okay.

As we meditate in His presence the cares of this world melt away.
The very worries that kept us up at night or resentments that caused us so much anger begin to look so small in the greatness of God.

The thought that the same God who created the entire universe and knows the stars by name actually wants us to sit still in His presence can be mind boggling.

But, it is true.

I'm reminded of my favorite hymn from my early years in the Southern Baptist Church.

The lyrics are:

I come to the garden alone
while the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear
falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me,
And He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

You may be thinking, "John, I would love to spend quality time with God like that. But, how do you do it?"

It is actually simple.

Find a quiet place.
Turn off your phone.
Take a deep breath.
Invite Him to join you.
You may say a prayer if you wish but at some point I encourage you to stop talking and just listen.
Just meditate in God's presence.
"Be still and know that I am God"- Psalms 46:10
 
Let Him take control and refresh you with His soaking love just as the rain refreshes the world outside when it falls.

You will find that the more time you spend letting God wrap His arms around you in the quiet stillness of His presence, the more desire you will have to read and study His scriptures.

The more time you spend cradled in His embrace, the more confidence you will have that He is in control.

Let Him be your Great Healer, your Great Listener, your Great Stress Reliever!

You don't have to be perfect to spend time with Him.
As a matter of fact, He doesn't want you to be anything other then who you are.
He sees you as spotless through the blood of Jesus!

Just come as you are and enjoy His presence.
It is available to whosoever asks.

As Always, Remember:

God Loves You!
God Created You!
God Accepts You!

Until Next Time,

SavedByGrace