Wondering What God Really Wants?
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photo by kristopher roller on unsplash
Last time I wrote, I was about to launch into a weekend of teaching at my church’s ladies’ retreat. (It went great, by the way! Thanks for your prayers and words of encouragement!)
Something I talk a lot about, and one of my main points at the retreat, is that our ultimate purpose is relationship with Jesus. We were created for relationship first and foremost with God, and it’s out of that intimacy and relationship that we love others and make a difference in our communities.
Though this is a long-held and cornerstone belief of mine, in recent weeks I’ve felt an extra-strong impression from God about the importance of spending time with Him.
One of the coolest things about this has been that, though I certainly have a role to play in setting aside time for God and developing our relationship, a big part of what He’s been revealing is how much He wants to spend time with me.
I’ve felt God saying, “You are my dream, just come and be with me.”
I hear Him whispering, “I’m waiting for you.”
I hear Him singing, “It’s your presence that I long for.”
In his book The Gift of Being Yourself David Benner says, “Every moment of every day of our life God wanders in our inner garden, seeking out companionship.”
Can you see God’s longing in this image? Can you feel His yearning for fellowship with the deepest parts of who we are?
So often we think of spiritual discipline as just that—a discipline. Something we must do. A chore. An obligation. We forget that on the other end of our devotional time is a Living Being who longs for relationship with us. More than anything, He simply wants to be with us, to know us, to love us, and find companionship in us.
This isn’t about what you should be doing, or guilt, or adding one more thing to do your to-do list. This is about learning to accept the divine invitation for friendship with the Creator of the Universe.
It’s about learning to commune with Him throughout our day, to abide in His presence not just when we’re singing worship music or reading the Bible (though these are excellent and essential pathways to knowing God) but also while we’re folding laundry or driving to work or preparing dinner. This is about learning to experience God-With-Us in every moment of our lives.
I’m feeling a little fired up here! I want to assure you that though impassioned, I say all this with the utmost gentleness. There’s no judgment here or expectation of perfection.
But there is an entreaty: For your sake, for God’s sake, for the sake of your purpose and those who are destined to impacted by you, meet with God Himself, who, if you’ve invited Him in, is dwelling in the garden of your heart, seeking communion with you.
You have a purpose—this is undoubtedly, beautifully true! But to reach your fullest potential, all your doing must start with being. And we find our truest being in relationship with God. More thoughts on this next week.
❤️ With love and affection,
P.S. Christmas is just around the corner!
It’s the best—and also the busiest—time of year.
You want to spend time with Jesus, but there’s so much to do.
I know firsthand how the bustling, planning, and partying can eat away at our connection with the real reason for the season.
That’s why I’m offering a video-based devotional mini-course that can help you connect with Jesus in a fresh way in just a few minutes each week in December.
Check out the details and sign up by clicking here or clicking the link or image to the right.
I’m excited to share this special season together!
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I want to hear from you!
How do you feel knowing God wants to meet with you? How have you been meeting with Him lately, or how do you hope to meet with Him? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!
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P.S.
I wrote this post because I’m on a mission to encourage and equip women to live the life of faith, passion, and purpose that we were made for. You can help make a difference by sharing this post with a friend (or friends!) who you think would be encouraged or inspired by it. Thanks!
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission, with no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services I believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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