Savoring present moments becomes a catalyst for practicing the Presence of God.
“What do you think?” a voice interrupts your thoughts.
Suddenly you’re brought back to the present. Your spouse, your child, your friend has been sharing something important, but you were thinking about what was next on your never-ending to-do list. You have no idea what they just said. Busted!
On another occasion, you miss a magical moment on your family vacation because you’re dwelling on a regret from your past.
God has given us five senses to bring awareness of His creation around us. These senses are available now, not yesterday, not tomorrow, but now.
What are some of your favorites?
For me:
Sight: Sunset, or sunrise over water or mountains
Sound: Water rushing past rocks in a mountain stream
Smell: Tea olive, gardenias
Touch: Sea breeze, fall wind in my face, soft sheets
Taste: Chocolate pie, dark coffee
When we savor now, we’re enjoying a gift from God. A lady on a plane once told me that’s why “now” is called the present. It’s a gift.
This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24 NASB)
Why do the Living not Understand?
There’s an old movie entitled Our Town which drives this point home.
One character, named Emily, dies while giving birth to a child. However, the stage manager allows her to go back to the past and observe the morning of her sixteenth birthday.
From her vantage point, she has a profoundly nostalgic appreciation of the transient beauty of life’s insignificant moments. However, she realizes that people, including her younger self, don’t understand how precious the moments of life really are. She is stunned that nobody savors and fully appreciates “now”. They all seem so disengaged. Later she would say of the living, “They don’t understand.”
Paul – “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead.” (Philippians 3:13 NASB)
Jesus –“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34 NASB)
God doesn’t want us to be imprisoned by the regrets of our past or fears of our future. He wants us to be present with Him moment by moment.
Abiding is Staying Present with Jesus
Jesus tells us in John 15 to “abide” in Him. Other meanings of this word are to “tarry” or “stay present with.” Jesus says in the same chapter that there is complete joy found in “staying present” in His love and loving others as He has loved us.
Staying present with Jesus is essential to our spiritual lives, and it leads to experiencing and savoring life’s moments. Otherwise, life quickly passes us by.
Savoring present moments becomes a catalyst for practicing the Presence of God.
Quiddity
Of his friend, A. K. Hamilton Jenkins, Lewis wrote that he “seemed to be able to enjoy everything, even ugliness.” [1] From Jenkins’ example, Lewis learned to, “attempt total surrender to whatever atmosphere was offering at the moment; in a squalid town to seek out those places where it’s squalor rose to grimness and almost grandeur,”[2] He called this a “serious, yet gleeful determination to rub one’s nose in the very quiddity[3] of each thing, to rejoice in its being (so magnificently) what it was.”
What I learn from this is that in our endeavors to “enjoy” the nature of something and experience it with our senses, we notice the “good” and the “bad”.
Challenge
Take notice of what you see and hear right at this moment. Do you smell anything? Perhaps you’re drinking a cup of coffee and feel a gentle breeze upon your face like I’m experiencing as I write.
What calls you away from being fully present? Is it a looming duty, a past regret, a worry about the future? Whatever it is robs you of fully embracing the gift of now. Give these things to God and don’t take them back.
During life’s “nows,” we show love by caring for the people in our lives. In an instant, our present moments become memories. When we savor our times with the people God places in our path, there’s a richness which touches our hearts and slows the swirl of life.
But what’s most important is being present with God. The Holy Spirit of Jesus indwells us, and we are never alone. God is in us and around us. We are in Him and He is in us.
Tarry, remain, abide in Jesus. Now, we feel His presence.
In your presence is fullness of joy.Psalm 16:11b.
Prayer
Lord, I need you desperately on this one. I can determine with all my might to stay present, but my mind quickly wanders. By Your Indwelling Holy Spirit, please keep me in the moments of life, fully savoring all which surrounds me, receiving all things from Your hand.
In my moments of now, my I, above all things, recognize Your nearness and show Your love to all You bring my way. May this be the overarching goal of every day, to receive Your love and give it away.
Amen
And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. (Psalm 39:7 NASB)
[1] Surprised By Joy, Harcourt, p. 199
[2] Ibid, p. 199
[3] From the Oxford Dictionary: Quiddity – the nature or essence of someone or something.
Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures.
Subscribe to get email notifications of new posts. We post a few times a month. Thank you for reading.
Robby Buck
Nonfiction books by the Author:
Because joy is rooted in God and is eternal, it doesn’t ebb and flow with the waves of circumstances. In fact, as we grow in our understanding of joy, we can even experience it more acutely when life is hard. Why? Because God uses trials to conform us into the image of Christ. With this awareness, which gives us glimpses of God’s greater purposes, we rejoice because of His masterful work to free us from needing anything but Him.
For these reasons, and many others, joy in the Lord is commanded in scripture. It’s not just a good idea, it’s vital to our journey as human beings. Rhythms of Joy
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 an 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
Please Check out the Cola City Podcast . Discussions that impact the vision of reaching every man, woman, and child in a city.
Much has been written about folks communing with God and walking with Him throughout the day.
Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him (Genesis 5:24 NASB).
These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God (Genesis 6:9 NASB).
He guides me in the paths of righteousness For the sake of His name. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me (Psalm 23:3b-4a NASB).
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).
God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (I Corinthians 1:9 NASB).
As amazing as it seems, having intimate fellowship with the Creator of the Universe is possible for us right now. As believers, Jesus Christ indwells us by His Holy Spirit. He is always with us, as close as breathe. But do we acknowledge Him as we go?
For me the answers is: sometimes. But I want to know Him more deeply and communicate with Him more consistently, not only in my set aside times alone with Him, but also throughout the day.
After all, our access to God has been paid for by the precious blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God, for the purpose of us experiencing eternal life, even now. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent (John 17:3 NASB).
Knowing God. Walkingwith Him, having fellowship with Him, communing with Him is possible. Today. This moment.
But how?
Let’s look at a couple of rhythms for staying connected to God in true communion and fellowship.
Being Alone with Jesus
One way to take advantage of our direct pathway to God is to regularly set aside dedicated times of being alone with Him. These times, though they can also include reading God’s Words or songs of worship, can be considered times of prayer.
Unless we are simply going through the motions, which I sometimes do, true communication is happening during these times of being alone with Jesus.
But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you (Matthew 6:6 ESV).
Jesus often had these times of pulling away to isolate with His Father God.
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed (Mark 1:35 NASB).
And when it was day, He departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought Him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them (Luke 4:42 NASB).
But He would withdraw to desolate places and pray (Luke 5:16 NASB).
In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God (Luke 6:12 NASB).
The last verse tells us what Jesus did prior to selecting the twelve disciples.
Following are some suggested keys concerning our times alone with God which produce genuine communication.
Be as consistent with the time of day as possible. Mornings are good, but not necessary. If unexpected events occur, no worries. Take the time when it can be grabbed.
Treat the time alone with God as other scheduled meetings. Mark it off. Protect it. These are, by far, the most important meetings you have.
Have a regular format during these meetings, but allow the Holy Spirit to alter your plan. Suggested routines might include worship, times of silent listening (more on that later), consuming God’s word and responding to what God might be communicating to you.
Have a plan for reading God’s word, but be sure the amount doesn’t cause it to become dutiful. It’s not like homework, it’s delightful fellowship
Write down your worship, insights from God’s word and your response. A journal, dedicated to your times alone with God, works great for this.
Our entire time alone with God should be looked at as a time of communing prayer. If at times, your mind wonders into “get it done mode,” pause and reconnect into genuine fellowship.
Throughout the Day
Our communing with God doesn’t have to end when we leave our times of being alone with Him. God is always with us, even in the darkest of times. But we need to be intentional about recognizing His nearness. Some may call it practicing the presence of God, after the book of the same name by Brother Lawrence. He wrote about thinking often of God during the day and night, in our business and in our diversions. He called this art of practicing God’s presence a single act that never ends.
A cook by trade, Brother Lawrence considered his time communing with God while working in the kitchen of the same quality as when he was alone with God on his knees. He learned to cultivate the presence of God by joyfully thanking Him and praising Him as he went through the day.
One of my favorite verses about communicating with God as we go is: Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful (Colossians 4:2 NIV).
Digging deeper into this verse, “devote” means to adhere to, to be steadfastly attentive to, to give unremitting care about something.
So, as we go, even in the midst of the fray of the day, when unexpected brokenness and “interruptions” crowd in, we’re to stick with our continual commitment to communicating with God.
“Watchful” – be active, be aware, be alert for what God’s doing through and around us.
“Thankful” – have an attitude of gratitude, even for the hard things, knowing God, our Fullness of All Joy, is always with us.
Following are some suggestions for staying connected with God and practicing His presence throughout the day.
As you end your alone time with God, ask Him to keep you aware of Him as you tackle the challenges of the day. Talk with Him about the events on your schedule and invite Him into each activity.
If you’ve ever been on a long road trip or hike with a trusted companion, think about the “withness” you experienced. Words were not always spoken, but the extended time together gave you a deep sense of fellowship as you experienced the adventures along the way. Picture, in the dwelling Spirit of Jesus Christ, this same realization of continual “withness”.
As stressful challenges crop up during the day, see these as reminders that God is with you. Realize that whatever “brokenness” you face is not a surprise to your Father God. Talk with Him about it and depend upon Him more deeply in it.
When you are reminded again of God’s presence, after an extended time of focusing only on the endeavor at hand, don’t get discouraged. Simply thank God that you’re thinking of Him now and ask Him to keep you aware of Him now.
Don’t waste the down times. Unless you’ve packed your schedule to the brim, which I have a tendency to do, there will be times you find yourself alone with a bit of “free time”. A tendency is to fill this time with some noise or screen time. Instead, enjoy some silence with God. Love Him. Thank Him. Praise Him. Listen to Him.
Play the “I spy God” game. A number of years ago, Karen and David Mains, in there radio show Chapel of the Air, encouraged folks to go on God hunts throughout the day. Look for God in the beauties of His creation, in unusual “coincidences”, in unexpected encounters with folks. Thank God when you see Him and share the sightings with others.
As we practice these and other rhythms of communing with God, inertia will build and we will more and more experience continual fellowship with the One who loves us and gave Himself for us.
About Brother Lawrence it was written, “He often stated that it is God who paints Himself in the depths of our souls. We must merely open our hearts to receive Him and His loving presence.” [1]
Story:
A couple of years ago I was introduced to a small book on listening prayer entitled Chair Time , by Dan Sutherland. It’s based on what Ephesians 2:4-6 says about us being raised with Christ and seated with Him in heavenly places before the throne of God. The author asks us to picture a multitude of chairs around the throne of God and us seated in one of them. In this scenario, Sutherland asks, who would be doing the talking? Certainly not us.
He encourages a daily rhythm of picking the same chair, in the same place, at the same time, to sit and listen to God.
When we first sit down, Sutherland warns us that our minds will most likely be bombarded with all manner of distractions. His answer is to “spin off” each hampering thought. Perhaps use a “spin off” page to write things on and refer to them later.
When I practice “chair time” I have a journal and a black and blue pen.
The first phase, after “spin off” is called WOW. This is where we focus on being wowed by God’s magnitude and wonder. I usually use a Psalm to stoke the fires of my heart into praise. Using my black pen, I might write some genuine responses to who He is.
Next is NOW. This is when there’s a true acknowledgment of God presence with us right now. It’s believing He’s near, that Jesus, by His Holy Spirit indwells us and that our lives are hidden in Him.
I then write in black ink, “Do You want to say anything to me now?”
The blue ink is for what follows. Sometimes there’s silence, an enjoyment of just being with God. Other times, I get a sense of what He might be saying and I write it done in blue. I’m very careful during these time to be sure what I write down is not just what I want to hear.
An example was when I was listening to what He might be saying concerning the death of my sister. What I believe I heard was, “I am enough. No matter what, I am enough.“
Looking back over the blue ink in my last few journals, What I see is God’s truth from scripture, nothing new. But each time, it’s exactly what I needed to hear at the time.
These things I have spoken to you while remaining with you.But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you (John 14:26-27 NASB).
The last phase is HOW. How do I respond to what I believe God has said? For me, this is usually a prayer written in black ink.
Conclusion
We were designed to live in community with God. When sin separated us, Jesus’ blood brought us back. Our Lord is near. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together (Colossians 1:17 NASB).
We can walk with God, praising Him, talking with Him, listening to Him, depending on Him as we go. Being with Him, savoring His nearness, loving with His love is our path to full joy, in spite of what we face.
Part of the formula for communing with God is time alone. Jesus modeled this for us on countless occasions. But also, when we’re in the midst of our days, our fellowship continues as we seek God’s will and His guidance. Being dedicated to our conversations with Him, we rest in His nearness, abide in His Spirit, listen to His promptings seek to glorify Him with every word and deed. We keep alert, looking to praise Him, thank Him and enjoy Him each moment.
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)
In all our ways, as we we go, we acknowledge the Lord is with us.
Prayer
Lord, right now I truly recognize You are here. I know it. Yet, sometimes I forget. Sometimes, even in my “quiet times,” I fail to truly acknowledge You. I read Your Word and talk to You, but in becomes an activity, not true fellowship.
I’m sorry, Lord.
In my day, I can get so caught up with the duties, I miss You. I can go large stretches of time not even thinking of You are thanking You for my breaths.
I’m sorry, Lord.
As I write, I sense Your forgiveness and Your desire for me to leave all that’s in the past behind. Right now I go forward with You. Keep me aware of You.
I love you Lord.
Amen.
Personal Study
Chair Time Pick a chair in a place you can have silence and solitude.
Spin Off – Give to the Lord all that crashes into your mind to distract you from quiet.
WOW – Be amazed at who God is and praise His name.
NOW – Recognize God nearness right this moment.
Try and spend at least 15 minutes listening for what God may be saying to you. The recommendation is to write down what you hear. Don’t be discouraged if you hear nothing the first time. Try again.
Follow it up with:
HOW – Determine how to respond to what you’ve heard.
[1] From Goodreads description of The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/498641.The_Practice_of_the_Presence_of_God
Please Check out the new Cola City Podcast . Discussions that impact the vision of reaching every man, woman, and child with the gospel.
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:
Rob Buck
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
Enjoying the sun warming my face as I sit beside our waterfall on a prespring morning. The trees are awaiting the summons to explode into their canopy of multiple shades of green. As I take my last sip of coffee, the sunlight sparkles across the stream as the water cascades down the rocks into the turquoise pool below.
Two windchimes catch the breeze as it passes through the porch overhang and trade melodic peels. A wren rejoices in the new day splendor. A butterfly flutters past and lands among the yellow daffodils surrounding the garden fountain.
Our rooster crows, impatient to lead the hens out to scratch and peck. An anticipating young hawk squawks as it circles the barnyard. The coolness of the morning wind, carrying a hint of fragrant tea olive, refreshes my face.
The last twelve months have been strange. Sports were shut down. Politics and news became unbearable. Less distractions can breed moments as I describe above, intentionally savoring the details of our lives. But these moments don’t come easy for me. It’s a constant battle. Life flies by at alarming speed. A quiet, internal voice whispers, “Slow down.”
God has given us five sense to bring awareness of His creation around us. These senses are available now, not yesterday, not tomorrow, but now.
What are some of your favorites?
For me:
Sight: Sunset or sunrise over water or mountains
Sound: Water rushing past rocks in a mountain stream
Smell: Tea olive, gardenias
Touch: Sea breeze, fall wind in my face, soft sheets
Taste: Chocolate pie, dark coffee
When we savor now, we’re enjoying what God has given us. A lady on a plane once told me that’s why now is called the present. It’s a gift.
There’s a movie entitled Our Town which drives home this point.
Emily, one of the characters, dies while giving birth to a child. However, she is permitted by the stage manager to revisit the past and to step back into the morning of her twelfth birthday as an observer.
From her vantage point, she has a nostalgic appreciation of the transient beauty of life’s little moments. However, she’s struck by how the people, including her younger self, don’t have a clue how precious the moments really are. She is stunned that nobody savors and fully appreciates now.
Emily saw everyone as so disengaged. She would later ask the stage manager, “Do human beings ever realize life while they live it?”
Emily’s questions is profoundly convicting. How many moments have I missed by regretting the past or worrying about the future? How many opportunities have I missed with the ones I love? Do I lean in and truly listen? Or am I more concerned with what I’ll say in response? Am I really with others or am I half engaged, pondering a pressing duty?
Even in my morning times with God? Have I already allowed the awaiting responsibilities to distract me? Have I forgotten that God, the Creator of the universe, wants to be with me and enjoys my fellowship?
The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy, (Zephaniah 3:17 NASB)
Have I forgotten there is no place for worry?
“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”[1] Jesus
And as I go into the day, do I forget to “abide” in Jesus the Vine of Life, to “tarry,” to “stay present with” Him?
Staying present with Jesus is essential to my day. Otherwise, He tells me my efforts are worth nothing. [2] How exhausting and deflating is that?
Challenge: Take notice of what you see and hear right this moment. Do you smell anything? Perhaps you’re drinking a cup of coffee and feel a gentle breeze upon your face.
What tends to call you away from being fully present? Is it a looming duty, a past regret, worrying about the future? Whatever it is it robs you of fully embracing the gift of now. Give these things to God and don’t take them back.
The people in our lives are loved and cared for during life’s present moments. In an instant, now become a memory. When we savor our times, with the people God places in our paths, there’s a richness which touches our hearts and slows the swirl of life.
But what’s most important is being present with God. We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit of Jesus. God is in us and around us. We are in Him and He is in us. We are never alone. He’s always ready to enjoy the moment with us.
In Your presence is fullness of joy. (Psalm 16:11b NASB)
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
And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. Psalm 39:7
“What do you think?” a voice interrupts your thoughts.
Suddenly you’re brought back to the present. Your spouse, your child, your friend has been sharing something important, but you were thinking about what was next on your never ending to-do list. You have no idea what they just said. Busted!
On another occasion you miss a magical moment on your family vacation because you’re dwelling on a regret from your past.
God has given us five sense to bring awareness of His creation around us. These senses are available now, not yesterday, not tomorrow, but now.
What are some of your favorites when it comes to your senses?
For me:
Sight: Sunset or sunrise over water or mountains
Sound: Water rushing past rocks in a mountain stream
Smell: Tea olive, gardenias
Touch: Sea breeze, fall wind in my face, soft sheets
Taste: Chocolate pie, dark coffee
When we savor now, we’re enjoying a gift from God. A lady on a plane once told me that’s why now is called the present.
There’s an old movie entitled “Our Town” which drives this point home.
One of the characters named, Emily, dies while giving birth to a child. However, she is permitted by the stage manager to revisit the past and to step back into the morning of her sixteenth birthday as an observer.
From her vantage point, she has a profoundly nostalgic appreciation of the transient beauty of life’s little moments. However, she is struck by how the people, including her younger self, don’t have a clue how precious the moments of life really are. She is stunned that nobody savors and fully appreciates “now”. They all seem so disengaged. Later she would say of the living, “They don’t understand.”
“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,”[1] Paul
“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”[2] Jesus
God doesn’t want us to be imprisoned by the regrets of our past nor fears of our future. He wants us to be present with Him moment by moment.
Jesus tells us in John 15 to “abide” in Him. Other meanings of this word are to “tarry” or “stay present with.” Jesus goes on to say in the same chapter that there is complete joy found in “staying present” in His love and loving others as He has loved us.
Staying present with Jesus is essential to our Spiritual lives and it leads to experiencing and savoring life’s moments. Otherwise, life quickly passes us by.
Challenge: Take notice of what you see and hear right this moment. Do you smell anything? Perhaps you’re drinking a cup of coffee and feel a gentle breeze upon your face like I’m experiencing as I write.
What tends to call you away from being fully present? Is it a looming duty, a past regret, a worry about the future? Whatever it is robs you of fully embracing the gift of now. Give these things to God and don’t take them back.
The people in our lives are loved and cared for during life’s “nows”. In an instant our present moments become memories. When we savor our times with the people God places in our path there’s a richness which touches our hearts and slows the swirl of life.
But what’s most important is being present with God. We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit of Jesus and we are never alone. God is in us and around us. We are in Him and He is in us.
Tarry, remain, abide in Jesus. His presence is experienced now.
