Ignoring Reality 03/10/2010
 
"Ouch". I can vividly see the image of the glowing finger slowly approaching Elliot. What a great movie. E.T. is without a doubt a classic. For weeks all three of my kids looked forward to being able to ride E.T.'s Great Adventure at Universal Studios in Orlando.

When the big moment came and we began to load ourselves into the ride car, my 3 year old son balked. When my wife, who had been holding him, attempted to place him in a seat by himself, his body straightened and his lungs got some great exercise. Quickly assessing the situation, she picked him up and exited the ride. The reason my son freaked out was because the tunnel ahead was...dark. He fears the dark. When he had to leave the security of his mother he lost control. Fear gripped him. He clung to her for dear life.

Life is like my son and that ride. We are great as long as we have the security of our friends. We are comfortable as long as we can be confident of what lies ahead. But life isn't that way is it? Life has some wonderful "up" moments, but it also is full of sucker punches. There are times when friends, and God seem but a distant memory. But God is always with us. "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you". The promise of his presence is the vehicle that should help us face our fears and challenges. We must always remember that God is always present, even when we do not feel him.


(First published on July 21, 2005)
 
Pray Continually 02/18/2010
 
Never stop praying.  - 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT)

I believe this mindset is one of the "missing links" in the life of many Christians. Paul seems to be emphasizing that a Christ follower needs take the initiative to be in constant contact with God. By praying continually it is a way to remember that God is always with you. (Hebrews 13:5) When we make it a lifestyle to practice being with God, our relationship with him will make a dramatic shift.  No longer will we go through life on our own, but we will actually take the journey with God.

When become attentive and aware of God's presence in our life, our commitment to being like Christ will be easier and more fulfilling. When we acknowledge God being with us every second of every day, we are accepting his dominion, his rule, over our life. In doing so, we are truly living in His kingdom. In order to bring ourselves into this mode of living, we must cultivate the habit of thinking of God often. We must focus on being with Him. We must intentionally invite Him into every compartment of our life. We must invite his presence into everything we do, say, think, feel, all of it. So many Christ followers are missing out on an abundant life because they feel that "spiritual disciplines" are the way to get close to him (they are important but not the end all). But God also wants us walk with Him in constant awareness of His presence. Every moment of every day. He wants to be our constant companion. I close with the words of Brother Lawrence, a French monk in the 1500s:

“I still believe that all spiritual life consist of practicing God’s presence and that anyone who practices it correctly will soon attain spiritual fulfillment. To accomplish this, it is necessary for the heart to be emptied of everything that would offend God. He wants to possess our hearts completely. Before any work can be done in our souls, God must be totally in control.

There is no sweeter manner of living in the world than continuous communion with God….I would urge everyone to be aware of God’s constant presence, if for no other reason than because his presence is a delight to our souls and spirits.”

-       Brother Lawrence, Practice of the Presence of God.