Category Archives: The Nearness of God

In the Moment, Surprised by Joy, The Nearness of God

In the Moments(Behold)

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And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:10-11 NASB). 

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him (I John 3:1 NKJV).

Behold – perceive with the eyes or any of the senses, notice, discern, discover, pay attention, observe, inspect, examine, understand.

Jerry

He used to be an elder at our church, but I haven’t seen Jerry since he completed his chemo treatments for his lymphoma.  I look forward to seeing him and celebrating the fact that he’s now cancer free. 

I arrive at Loveland’s, a popular coffee shop in Irmo, South Carolina. As a step through the doors, I’m  surprised to see a cluster of comfortable chairs unoccupied. Not seeing Jerry, I claim the spot.

The Napkin

As I wait, my thoughts drift back to the breakfast meeting I’d just completed with my son and our friend Seth. I’d opened my eyes during our closing prayer and was surprised by a napkin. Stamped into this simple paper product were flowers with clearly defined petals, standing stalks of wheat and symmetrical lines and shapes of intricate detail.

So much went into such an insignificant item, but you had to take the time to notice it. I’m glad I did. It reminds me of all the colorful details God puts into the wings of butterflies and the flowers of the field for us to enjoy. If we will. 

Knees to Knees

Still deep in thought, I’m a bit startled when Jerry suddenly appears. He’d been seated at another part of the shop and we’d missed each other. He sits in the chair to my right and turns towards me. Knees to knees he calls it.

I feel his pastoral heart as he asks me about how I’m handling the passing of my little sister, Marlee, a couple of weeks ago. I tell him it’s been hard, but that I think I’m learning how to grieve.

As I travel these waters of loss, I seem to be able to feel more keenly. Even in this true sadness, there’s also been a deeper appreciation of  all of life’s emotions. Through it all, I’m discovering God is enough. Strange how pain is leading me to a more tangible awareness of His sufficiency.

Jerry talks about his journey with cancer, the chemotherapy and the delight of being declared cancer free.  He and his bride, Ginny, have had their separate battles with cancer. Hers has been breast cancer. Through it all, they’ve fought together side by side, a beautiful thing. They are closer, like foxhole buddies.

His world shrunk as he was forced to slow down. He’s seen tremendous benefit in stillness and quiet. He is being restored. 

Jerry’s Focus for The Year

As our time winds down, Jerry tells me about two focal points he brought into the beginning of this year. Two phrases which have defined his journey; beginning before there was even a thought of cancer:

  • In the Moment
  • Surprised by Joy.

In the Moment

Staying present in every situation.  As much as possible, bringing our senses into the appreciation of life’s moments. As we discuss it, I think of the napkin and it’s hidden details. It makes me want to slow down and be much more observant. If there can be so much to appreciate in a man-made paper product, what treasures in God’s vast creation await me?

And how about people? How often do I rush past the people God places in my path because I’m distracted by some duty or am caught up with some random train of thought?

God breathed His image into humans.  Each person has uniqueness ready to be discovered.

Surprised by Joy

Jerry explains that even though “Surprised by Joy” is the title of a book by C.S. Lewis, he has his own understanding of the term. Joy is surprising him where he would least expect it. As he talks, I get what he means.

How would we ever expect to find joy in things like cancer and death? This strange sensation can only be explained by the Lord’s presence and our journey with Him in the depths of our pain. 

Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You have taken hold of my right hand.
You will guide me with Your plan,
And afterward receive me to glory (Psalm 73:23-24 NASB).

Jerry wants to be open to joy in whatever turn his life takes. Come what may, Jerry knows the Lord is his highest joy and worldly circumstances can’t thwart this. This unexpected year has given him ample opportunity to experience the joy of God’s nearness in the midst of his moments. 

You will make known to me the way of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever (Psalm 16:11 NASB)

My Challenge

Not only is God with me in the grief over Marlee’s death and everything else I’m going though, but He has also created a vast world of treasures for me to behold with Him.

My challenge is to identify and eliminate all threats to recognizing His nearness .  These distraction can be external, like electronic devices and busyness. Or they can be internal thoughts which rob my peace. 

Prayer

Lord,

What a great morning of discovery. From the amazement of a napkin to the appreciation of time spent with a wise brother, You are calling me to slow down and behold the moments of life.

I’m sorry for how easy it is for me to be distracted by the noise of this world. There’s so much You want to show me. Please call me quickly to You when I stray. I want to behold life with You.

Thank you for how You surprise me with the joy of Your presence. No matter what I face, You are always with me.

I love you Lord.

Epilogue

As I finish this post, I get a text from Jerry – “Thanks for the obituary of your sister. The message, “God is enough”, was repeated and reinforced to me through the whole week. Having coffee at Hardee’s this morning, I was “in the moment” watching a flock of white seagulls in the parking lot in front of Food Lion against a beautiful sky. Nature speaks of God.” Jerry

Even if it’s been a tough year for you, consider this Advent season an opportunity to meet with God, to hear from Him, and to respond to the gentle nudges of the Holy Spirit within you. Nothing will nourish your soul like resetting your pace to match the Savior’s rhythm for you. Nothing re-energizes like saying no to your flesh so you can say yes to the Holy Spirit who’s ready and willing to work in you. Susie Larson

 

Other posts in our series In The Moments:

As Sea Gulls Fly

The Gift of Presence

It is Finished

Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures.

Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post a few times a month. Thank you for reading. 

Novels by the Author:

What happens when a professor figures out how to send messages to his younger self to try and avoid the suicide of his best friend? Did he change more than he bargained for?  Beyond Time

By finding two undelivered letters in a old shack deep in the woods, Cassie and Daniel unknowing set off a series of events which uncover a plot to wipe out a whole family. Hope Remains

Indwelling Christ, Our Union with Christ, The Nearness of God

Our Highest Joy (God With Us)

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Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, and they shall name Him Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us (Matthew 1:23 NASB)

As our unusual 2020 comes to a close, we pause to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Immanuel. God with us. The Creator of the universe brought near. But what does this really mean? And how does God being with us change who we are, our approach to life and our purpose?

But what is most important about God’s nearness is how His strength and Joy gives us the courage to face any battle we’re in. He’s an ever present help in times of trouble.

What Does “God With Us” Really Mean?

From Eternity

  • Jesus was with God in the beginning and the world was created through Him and for Him. [1] [2]
  • In Jesus all things hold together.[3]
  • Jesus is the first place in everything and God’s fulness dwells in Him [4]

What Christ Gave up for Us

  • And although He existed in the form of God, He emptied Himself taking the form a bond servant.[5]
  • He set aside His splendor to enter this world in human likeness as a baby in simple circumstances.[6]
  • Fueled by the Joy of our redemption, He endured the excruciating pain of the cross to provide us a path to God[7]

How it Becomes Personal

We can allow another Christmas to go by, singing the songs, exchanging the gifts, and eating the food. We can miss the life changing significance of Christ actually being with us in a personal way.

Christ is always in full display in the beauties of the world around us, but “God with us” can become personal:

Recognize the gap

Without Christ we are do not have an intimate relationship with God, without hope in the world, destined to be apart from Him for eternity.[8] [9] [10]

Stop trying to live a good enough life

Eternal life can’t be earned. We don’t make it to heaven by our good works outweighing our wrongs. God’s economy doesn’t work that way.[11]

Believe God

Believing means trusting in Christ’s sacrifice on your behalf, committing your life to His care and relying upon Him for every concern.  

Truly, truly, I say to you, the one who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. (John 5:24 NASB)

What Changes When “Being With God” Becomes Personal  

Who We Are Changes Forever

  • We become loved children of God But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name (John 1:12 NASB)
  • God lives in us Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will follow My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him (John 14:23 NASB)
  • We are complete, fully accomplished and filled to the brim in Christ For in Him all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete (Colossians 2:9-10a NASB)

 Our Approach to Life Changes

  • We Decrease and He Increases[12] For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3 NASB)
  •  We live by faith not by sight, trusting in God’s greater story [13] [14]  Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB)
  •  We live in abiding dependence upon God’s Holy Spirit within us [15]  I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me (Galatians 2:20 NASB)

 Our Goals and Purposes are New

  •  Our top goal is now to Delight in God’s great worth, not worldly happiness.  One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord And to meditate in His temple (Psalms 27:4 NASB)
  • God Himself is now our greatest reward not things of the earth. After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward” (Genesis 15:1 NIV)
  •  Our higher Daily purpose becomes loving others not just getting things done. This is My commandment that you love one another, just as I have loved you (John 15:12 NASB)

Prayer

Lord, You are with me right now. Thank You for leading me to slow down and ponder what Immanuel really means. You set aside so much to be with me and to die for me. Please help me fully appreciate what Your nearness means to every moment of my life. I’m yours. I pray I will delight in You throughout the day, knowing that You alone are my great reward. In Your strength, may I love others as You’ve loved me.

In everything I’ve faced and will face, You’ve been my Strength, my Joy and my Courage. May I lean into You throughout life’s journey.

Amen.

[1] John 1:1-3

[2] Colossians 1:16

[3] Colossians 1:17

[4] Colossians 1:18-19

[5] Philippians 2:6-8

[6] Philippians 2:6-8

[7] Hebrews 12:2

[8] Romans 3:23

[9] Isaiah 59:2

[10] Ephesians 2:12

[11] Ephesians 2:4-10

[12] John 3:30

[13] 2nd Corinthians 5:7

[14] Colossians 3:1-2

[15] John 15:4-5

Previous posts in the series – Our Highest Joy:

Unmasking the Lie

Dealing with sadness and disappointment

Eternal Thanksgiving

Fueled by the Joy of Jesus

.Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures.

Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post a few times a month. Thank you for reading. 

 Novels by the Author:

Beyond Time

Hope Remains

Christ Indwells Us, The Nearness of God

The Pearl Within

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Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it (Matthew 13:45-46)

Oysters

When my mom was alive she cooked a special treat for me every Thanksgiving. I say “me” because she and I were the only ones who liked oyster casserole. From time to time others would taste a spoon full and with a “yuk,” confirm their dislike. This would leave me several helpings and leftovers of succulent seafood delight.

I love oysters, but oysters have more going for them than just being delicious.

When a grain of sand or other small particle slips in between its shells, an oyster will begin covering the uninvited visitor with nacre. Nacre, also known as mother of pearl, is a strong and iridescent material which protects the oyster from the intruder. Overtime, this nacre covered grain of sand is transformed into a pearl.

Treasure Within

As believers in Jesus Christ, we have the most valuable treasure imaginable inside us, the Holy Spirit of our Risen Lord Jesus Christ.

God’s Holy Spirit lives in us.

He’s the deposit sealing and guaranteeing our future inheritance[1]

He’s the Helper and Comforter Jesus promised[2][3]

He’s our power to live like Jesus Christ [4]

He’s our source of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control[5]

God indwelling us is the most important thing about us, but do we live accordingly? We’re designed to live lives of dependence, not independence.

Paul wrote: For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead (II Corinthians 1:8-9);

Coming to the End of Me

For years as a Christian, I tried to emulate the Jesus I read about in my own strength.

I wore myself out with Christian activities and trying to behave like Jesus. It was utter failure. Besetting sins lingered, frustration and anger brewed. Busyness crowded people out. My life felt dutiful, not delightful. I experienced dark nights of the soul progressively coming to the end of me.

At every point of surrender God was waiting to teach me a deeper level of yielding to His life within. He’s teaching me to stop doing things “for Him” and allow His Spirit to empower me.

The Abiding Life is the Dying Life

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing (John 15:5 NASB).

I used to think verses about abiding were good ideas. But I know now abiding is essential to living the joyous Christian life God intended.

Abiding means remaining, staying and dwelling in the spot of drawing our vital life source from Jesus the Vine. It’s yielding to Christ’s live within us; allowing Him to love others through us. But this requires us coming to terms with our spiritual death.

 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me (Galatians 2:20 NASB)

We died. God lives inside. He becomes our life.

Rivers of Living Water Within

Jesus didn’t leave us as orphans. He sent His Holy Spirit to comfort us, to guide us, to fuel our lives.

Right now Jesus is in us. Let’s pause and acknowledge His nearness, determining not to move on without Him.

When Jesus said, Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.[6]

The word ‘Come’ means come this way.  Come. Stay, Walk this way with me. It’s an invitation to a continual, lasting togetherness.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and You will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light.[7]

As the adult ox bears the weight and does the work, the younger ox is guided along, resting and learning, Abiding is staying yoked and depending on the power of Jesus every moment of the day.

Prayer

Lord, I see it now. There’s really no other way to live my life than in complete dependence upon you. I died and my life is now hidden in you. I want to remain aware of your presence as much as possible throughout the day. Remind me often that you’re near. When I forget your nearness because of daily duties, bring me quickly back to the enjoyment of being with You. And when I take that all too familiar stance of depending again on me, bring my efforts to failure that I might abide again in the sweet flow of your Rivers of Living Water within. You are my Pearl of Great Value. I give up all I have and all I am to You. Please use me for Your glory. Amen.

Novels by the Author:

Beyond Time

Hope Remains

 

[1] Ephesians 1:13-14

[2] John 14:16-17

[3] Colossians 1:27

[4] Philippians 2:13

[5] Galatians 5:22-23

[6] Matthew 11:28

[7] Matthew 11:29-30

Joy Required, The Joy of the Lord is my Strength, The Nearness of God

Is Joy a Vital Part of a Healthy You? (Part 2)

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Have you ever considered the fact that we need joy? Have our hearts been designed for it, but we didn’t realize it? Is joy a required part of our overall health?

When the Israelites heard the words of the Lord, after years of exile, they began to weep. Nehemiah, who had become their governor, told them not to grieve. He said the joy of the Lord would be their strength.[1]

What did he mean?  Nehemiah meant the gladness of heart which comes from the nearness of God  fuels our lives by giving courage and strength.

Our hearts are fueled by joy. We have to have it. It’s fundamental to our well-being. We’ll keep on searching for it down whichever life path seems most promising. When one way comes up empty, we’ll look for it in another. Deep within our hearts, there’s an unquenchable craving for something more.

God has set eternity in the hearts of men.

Consider the etymology of the word “heart”. The Latin word for heart is “cor”. From it, we get our English word “core” – the core of an apple, our core exercises, the essence of who we are. The French modified it to “cour,” from which we get the word courage.

Courage is vital for each day, especially when we face life’s challenges. The antonym of joy, sorrow, can disheartened us. When this happens, we need to be encouraged, filled with courage. A spark of joy, in the midst of discouragement, gives us hope and strength to keep taking breaths and stepping forward.

Joy is more than an optional “add on” to our lives. In fact, you may even call it the sustenance of our souls. And though we experience joy in God’s creation around us, especially in our encounters with people, God himself is the source of all joy.

Speaking of God, David wrote, “In your presence is fullness of Joy.” Psalm 1611b

The more we know God, the more joy, courage and strength we experience.

Challenge: What circumstance has stolen your joy? What lie has blocked your awareness of the Lord’s nearness and love for you? Is there anything you believe will give you more Joy than the Lord Himself? Answer these questions honestly before the Lord. Embrace the joy of His presence and the courage He brings to your heart.

Prayer: Lord, you alone are my great joy. I’m so sorry for desiring any relationship, any circumstance more than you. Thank you that right now you indwell me and are closer than breathe. Your love for me cannot be shaken in spite of anything in heaven and on earth. I embrace you and ask you to strengthen my heart with the joy of your presence. Amen

Is Joy a Vital Part of a Health You (Part 1) 

 

 

[1] Nehemiah 8:10

Joy Required, The Nearness of God

Is Joy a Vital Part of a Healthy You? (Part 1)

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Have you ever considered the fact that you need joy? Has your heart been designed to require it, but you didn’t realize it? Is joy a necessary part of your overall health?

The word “joy” and its derivatives, is used in many different contexts in this adventure called life. According to the dictionary, if we “enjoy” an event or an occasion we are delighting or taking pleasure in it. To “Rejoice” is to feel or show great delight or joy.

“Joy” is defined as “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.” Synonyms include delight, jubilation, glee, exhilaration, exuberance, elation, euphoria, bliss and ecstasy.

As I hear these words, I think, “I want to get me some of that.” They conger up feelings of well-being, of deep security. They may even bring back impressions of childhood delights, feelings which flourished before our hearts were seared by life’s pains.

We may get whiffs of joy as children, when we smell a cedar Christmas tree, see a white snowcapped mountain or taste grandmother’s fudge cake brownie. Our hearts come alive with these encounters, they fuel us, delight us. These eternal brushes awaken something deep within. We cry out for more, but aren’t sure where to find it.

These traces of joy can get lost in life’s sorrows. We lose the scent and hunt for it down roads of success, romance, popularity and pleasure. Like fool’s gold, these pretenders may bring a semblance of satisfaction, but eventually they fade and we’re left longing.

Have we been created for something far deeper than this world?

Consider the following verse, written by the wisest person who ever lived.  “He has made everything [appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart.” Ecclesiastes 3:11a

What if the deep longings you’ve felt all your life can only be filled by God Himself? What if all your empty pursuits, including seeking a happy life, were your vain attempts to solve a problem you could never solve on your own? What if only God can fill the void inside?

Challenge:  Think about what you think would complete you and give you inner satisfaction. It might be a life free of troubles. It could be embracing human love or being considered successful in life’s endeavors. Maybe you would feel fulfilled once your 401K is at a certain level.

Human history is filled with individuals who have proven these pursuits aren’t enough to satisfy the deep longings of the human soul. We can realize this now and turn to the One who does complete us. Or, we can keep on pursuing our worldly dreams until they prove to be empty and our lives are surrounded by the collateral damage of our choices.

Prayer: Lord, these longings deep inside are undeniable. You made me this way. You alone truly satisfy. Forgive me for thinking I could solve my need for inner fulfillment myself, with my own choices. Forgive me for trying to solve a problem I never could. Thank you for revealing how empty my worldly pursuits of pleasure, popularity, success, security and significance really are. You want to be my all in all. You tell me to offer my life as a living sacrifice. I surrender my life to you, knowing surrender is a continual act of my will.

Stay tuned for part 2.

The Nearness of God

Hello Silence my New Friend

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New Time Travel Novel by the Author

Fighting for Silence

On a recent trip to the beach, I was alone for two and a half hours. Letting my Waze app chart my course to avoid traffic,  I enjoyed some rural scenery and small towns I’d never seen before. I fought the urge to turn on the radio or listen to a book on Audible and chose silence instead. I’m so glad I did.

In a devotional I recently completed, I was challenged to have a couple of minutes of silence before and after my times with God. It was extremely hard at first. I kept wanting to reach for my phone to check a text, mark a to-do or research an idea which popped into my head. Over time, I realized that God’s still small voice will fill the silence, but I have to wait on Him.

The Presence of God

As I drove through the low country of South Carolina, passing through Lynchburg and Lake City, people started coming to mind. Being concerned for their well-being, I began to present them one by one before the Lord.  This connection with God’s heart gave me a sense of his nearness.

Speaking about the nearness of God, David wrote of gazing upon his beauty in the temple. Asaph wrote that the nearness of God was his good and that apart from God he had nothing. Exodus compares the presence of God to bread. In the New Testament, we read of Rushing wind and Rivers of Living water when describing the Holy Spirit, God’s presence with us.

Love

What I was experiencing, started with love. All the lies which often block the knowledge of God’s love for me were held aside so that  I knew it in deeper measures. He loved me before I was born with a  timeless love which I can not change.

Peace

There was also extreme peace, a peace rooted in the Prince of Peace and not in any present circumstance. I understood what Jesus meant when he told us he himself is our peace and that we can’t expect it from the world.

Hope

There was hope, a firm hope anchored in Christ; a realization that regardless of what the future holds on this side of the grave, I know how my story ends. An eternity of experiencing even a greater measure of God’s presence awaits me.

Joy

And joy. There was no progression in the love, peace and hope I was experiencing. An awareness of God’s nearness came upon me quickly, as the sun emerges from a cloud.  However, it seemed to me that joy was the culmination of the other three. Could I experience this kind of internal glee if I didn’t have love, peace and hope? My heart said no.

More than Feelings

As I drove past a white country church against the graying sky , it occurred to me that what I was experiencing was more than feelings. Sure I felt good.  But I could’t imagine any great circumstantial news giving me any greater joy.

Nor could I imagine really hard news stealing the reality of his love, peace, hope and joy. At least, those were my thoughts at the moment. God is love. He is peace. He is hope. And in his presence is fullness of joy.

Lasting Impressions

Looking back on my solitary ride to Georgetown, South Carolina, I’ve emerged with a couple of huge realizations.

  • I would not have experienced the presence of God at the level I did if I hadn’t  chosen silence.
  • I don’t have to be alone on a rural road to experience God’s love, peace, hope and joy.

Since my trip, I’ve had similar awareness of God’s presence in the midst of life’s conversations and activities. And he’s just as present with me right this moment as when I passed that country church.

For me, choosing times of silence has become a necessity. I must preserve and fight for times of waiting on God. If not, I tend to carry on life without him.

And that’s never a good thing.