Experiencing God's Presence( #2)
But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, "You are my God." My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me. (Psalm 31:14-15)
Many of us have a pretty strong sense of agenda. Some items on our personal agenda have been placed in us by God’s Spirit; some are the products of our own dreams and goals. And God cares for both kinds, though He may need to refine or redirect some things on our list. But when our sense of agenda becomes a stronger pull than our sense of need for God Himself, we find ourselves mentally on the other side of the fence from Him, as though we aren’t working together. We’re trying to convince Him of our agenda, or maybe just struggling with His. When that happens, the Presence is hard to detect.
God doesn’t forbid us from wrestling with Him. In fact, He invites us to do so from time to time. But there are times when our hearts are in turmoil until we’re able to simply let go and rest in His will, not knowing what it is. This is often called “surrender,” and it opens a door to His Presence.
Surrendering our will to God’s is a vital part of experiencing Him; His Spirit rushes into a heart that is fully yielded to Him. Why? Not because He wants automatons or completely empty vessels with no personality. No, it’s because a surrendered heart is a heart that’s in the process of aligning with His deepest desires and purposes. When we yield to Him, He begins to give us His very own heartbeat. That’s a relationship that warmly invites closeness.
In order to align with His heart, you may have to unalign with something currently in yours—or at least be willing to. Don’t fear that decision or the process. The result is a beautiful sense of closeness.
Father, I’m Yours, along with everything in me. I yield my will to Yours and trust my future completely to You. I’m at peace and rest in Your care. Please work out Your will in me.
