Being Present

For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edge sword, piercing as far as the the division of the soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

“Being Present”

Hebrews 4:12 tells us that God’s Word is alive and active, ready to speak truth into our daily lives. I am disciplining myself by continuing to ask the Lord to help me be more present in the moment, so as to allow Him the continual work within me. Because if I am truly honest, I too frequently live in the memories of the past or fret over the future, and choose to not live with the attention to today’s affairs that have an effect on my relationship and intimacy with Christ. His Divine Word quickens us to choose rightly, but we must also know His Word so to choose the better way!

How about you? Like me, are you too often living in an unconscious existence? Not aware of what you eat, how you spend your money or time, or words spoken maybe in gossip? What about the time we give to reading the scriptures or sitting on Sunday mornings listening to the pastor’s message? Are we open and present to God’s own Spirit wanting to illuminate areas to us during that time or do you find yourself busy thinking of where to go for lunch (and the cost of it); chores still needing to be wrapped up for the week; whether or not we have time to wash our hair tonight; darn that my last pair of nylons has a run in them; or what in the world did I give the dog to eat because he was extra gassy last night! Oh Lord, save us from our own wandering minds and help each of us to be aware of every precious moment that we are in Your presence and keep our minds and hearts open to hear from You.

When my children were younger I used to say to them, “Be aware of your surroundings”. I wanted to warn them to watch if a car had circled the block twice, if any person seemed to linger too close. I also wanted them to notice if a friend was hurting and to be observant to ways that they could help others. I wanted them to be present and aware. Gosh, is it possible that each of us could use this same warning today? For don’t we want more intimacy with the Lord and aren’t we thankful that His Spirit determines our true thoughts and intentions? We can be blind to our sin and deceptive thoughts, but He gives us the power to know the His truth. Think of it in the sense of the fluorescent light that forensic scientists use to illuminate hidden evidence that the naked eye just cannot see. We need God’s ultraviolet beam.

I Rise With You

Before the house will stir and the day begins to engage in activities…
before the early morning sun will awake from its slumber, and the
birds sing their first note for the day-

I rise with you, my Lord.

I will come into Your Presence and You always meet me there.
You provide access and draw me into Your Holy and Divine Throne room-
I wait with confidence and trust for the guidance
of Your hand upon my life.

Before I can face the outside world
with all its numerous cares that only try to divide my focus…
and before I can become that yielded instrument of Your love
through service, shinning the hope that lives within me-

I must first rise with You, my Lord.

Simple Blessings
KM
9-28-05

May it be our desire that we be women who live in the present and are aware of the world around us. May we take notice of the blessings God gifts to each of us, and always long to hear His whispers. Shall we also pray with a more purposeful focus on God’s will? And as we stay connected in our relationship with Christ, we will become more thankful followers. Let us commit to doing this together! Close your eyes…Open your heart, let God’s Spirit empower you today.