Times Like This

"He longs for us to speak to Him, and for these moments when He seeks us to be obvious, to get our attention."

AM I SEEKING HIM, or is He seeking me? I’m reading or washing tonight’s dishes or walking the dog, people things, but can feel Him tugging at me. It’s nothing He says but that I know He is there, waiting. I hunger for Him, to spend time in His presence, to hear His voice, He is my everything. Nothing makes me happier, more peaceful, more settled. But He can’t wait to spread Himself all around me, to fill me again. As much as I long to worship, to pour out my gratitude, He longs to hear it.

Speaking to God has been painted like shooting pool. A mixture of chance and skill that can produce results if you study hard enough and practice a lot. God is “somewhere nearby” listening but not likely to speak unless He has something of grave importance. Or we’ve seen Him as God at a distance, lightning bolt ready for the occasional disciplinary correction while we pour out our heart in a flood of words, which He hears but isn’t likely to respond to.

No and no. When the Father sent His Son, He wanted a family. He desired us. He opened His arms, love overwhelming Him, and eager, we ran into them. It only gets better from there because, for Him, once is not enough. He doesn’t want just a glance at salvation, a moment now and then when the glory’s just right. He longs for us to speak to Him, and for these moments when He seeks us to be obvious, to get our attention.

“Even though you have not laid eyes on him, you love him; and even though you currently don’t see him, you put your trust in him, and your hearts are overflowing with indescribable and perfect joy.” (1 Peter 1:8 Remedy)

He is God, the Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, and Savior, Redeemer, and King of Kings, and the Spirit of the Father, and the Holy Ghost. But when the Father gave us Jesus, it was for far more than a once-a-lifetime confession. Adam and Eve walked with God in the garden. They communicated. They talked, and after their sin, God came looking for them. Not in ignorance. He knew what they’d done. Nor for just an admission, but because the love in Him was too great to leave things as they were.

God filled heaven with mansions so that we could live with Him. He filled our hearts with His presence so that we could talk daily. He gave everything that He is to us, so we would never lack anything. So that on Tuesday night at 10:45 pm, He could tug at our heart and spend time with us. We seek Him for guidance and direction, to know what our next step is, and to bring before Him some need. And He’s here for those things. But He’s waiting on us to sit and soak Him in and know that all that He did, all that He put Himself through, was for times like this.

He is a God of nations, God of countries and kings. He is over governments. He is the Head of the church. He moves in our worship services. He flows when two or more are gathered together in His name. He wants us to pray, to lift up holy hands together without doubting and call on His name. He has anointed apostles and prophets and pastors and teachers to spread His gospel, to evangelize and encourage and comfort His children and lead people to salvation. He sweeps through congregations with healing power. He touches hearts. But what we see as numbers, as yet another sermon, is individuals to Him. It is Suzanne and Becky and Ashley and Kim and Jason and all five guys named Cody. He knows each one of us, every detail of our lives and relationships, and of all of it, He is the greatest part.

He is not just God, shining and glorious amongst angels and supernatural things. Nor only spiritual encouragement when we are struggling. He’s our Friend, who’s been planning all day to share Himself with us again.

“How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.” (Ephesians 1:3-6 MSG)

“I pray that the Father of glory, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would impart to you the riches of the Spirit of wisdom and the Spirit of revelation to know him through your deepening intimacy with him.” (Ephesians 1:17 TPT)


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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com