practice #2 {Practice the presence of God}

This month, my focus is on practicing. If it’s true that we get good at the things we practice, then I want to be intentional about the things I’m practicing. Last week I introduced practice #1. If you missed it, you can read it HERE..

HOW’S IT GOING?

Before we move on to practice #2, I want to check in and see how it’s going with Practice #1: Think about what you’re thinking about.  Is the Lord beginning to reveal some “stinkin’ thinkin’ in your life too?

Y’all, here’s the truth: My mind is a complete wreck without Jesus. Apart from Him, my thoughts cannot be trusted.

Years and years ago I sat across the table from Brittney at Starbucks and voiced this thought out loud. “One day I want Jesus’ words to run through my head more than my own. I want His thoughts to become my thoughts.” I remember it clear as day, and I was serious.

Although I am a long way from living in that reality, I am not the same girl as I was back then either.

Little by little, God continues to use His Word to change my thinking, and it all started by getting me to pay attention to the words rolling around in my head.

At first, God used this practice to begin changing my view of self. Sometimes gently and sometimes with what felt like blunt force, God began to reveal the many lies that I believed about myself. During that season, I learned how to replace those rotten thoughts with truth. (My first study, The Wardrobe of Christ, came out of my struggle in the area of identity.)

Power, strength and confidence come in knowing who we really are, our true identity – not in the words people say (or have said) about us and not in the way we feel about ourselves. The only One who gets to speak to who we are and declare our worth is the One who made us. 

{{{If you could use some help in this area too,  CLICK HERE for a FREE 2 page downloadable chart with over 70 identity verses.}}}

Recently, the Lord shifted focus to the thoughts I had about Him. As I pressed into His Word, I began to realize that my view of God (and the thoughts I had about Him) mattered because my view of Him affects everything about me. God isn’t just who I think He is. God is who He is. It’s my responsibility and privilege to line my thoughts of Him up with the truth found in His Word. (My study, He Is …, came out of that season.)

To say that practice #1 has changed my life would be an understatement. This practice will be mine for a lifetime.

OK. Ready for #2?

Now before you think this is something kooky, let me explain.

If you and I believe in the present-tense reality of Jesus (and I do), then why aren’t we experiencing Him more in the present-tense? The answer may be that we’re not paying attention.

“God is everywhere. He hovers in the air just behind you. God slips in, furtive and alert, among your comings and your goings. God listens, and watches, and – yes – speaks. Only, you need to slow down enough to notice. But so often we become distracted by many things and miss Jesus sitting right there in our kitchen.

In his book, The Practice of the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence speaks of a companionship with Jesus that is without boundary – not in time, or place, or circumstance. Anywhere, everywhere, in anything, you can be with God.”

This is God’s desire for us. He not only invites it, but He is present and available right now for it. 

The only thing missing is us.

It’s no coincident that this practice (practicing the presence of God) has come up in the last four books I’ve read. “Hey Carrie, maybe you should pay attention!” So, I’ve decided to follow Brother Lawrence’s lead.

The practice of the presence of God is a time-tried, beautifully effective, classical and traditional Christian practice. There’s no right or wrong way to do it, but here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Focus on a “with God” life – How much of your day can you do with the conscious awareness of God’s presence? Practice living your day with Him. In the car, at home making dinner, walking through the grocery store. Focus on your companionship with Christ. (John Ortberg)

• Greet Jesus quietly throughout the day – Everywhere you go, remind yourself of Jesus’ presence by greeting Him with a “hi Jesus”. The exercise helps us to notice Him so that you can be with Him. (Mark Buchanan)

• Set hourly reminders – How about this for super practical? Set an alarm on your phone (every hour or every couple of hours) to remind yourself to turn your mind and lift your heart to Emmanuel, God with us.

The point of practice is for us to form a habit of simple attentiveness. It is to acknowledge that the invisible is real and worth our every attention.

I don’t know about you, but I want to get better at noticing. I want to live, every minute of every day, ready and available to slip off my shoes.

Next week I’ll share what this practice looks like in my life but until then …

This week:

Practice the presence of God

(All quotes from Mark Buchanan, The Rest of God)