Being with God

As many of you know, Dan has just returned from Sabbatical. As part of his time away both of us have completed the first module of the Emotionally Healthy Leadership course. As part of the course, you are encouraged to spend time twice a day in silence with God, the idea being to enjoy time being in the presence of God without doing anything. 
 
There are lots of wise saints who practise this and have shared the benefits. It was suggested that you start off with two minutes, followed by a short devotional and then another two minutes.
 
Go on, try it. Set your alarm for two minutes and focus on God. Maybe use phases like Abba Father, or come, Holy Spirit, but for two minutes try to think of just being present with God.
 
How did you get on? Were you able to just be still in the presence of God? If you are anything like me, it wasn’t as easy as you thought it would be. I thought I could easily manage this, but over the last eight weeks, it is something I have had to really focus on. Some days are easier than others and I have even managed longer periods of time.
 
But what has kept my determination going is the reminder that God delights to spend this time with me, without my to-do list or chatting about all the things I am doing or have done. He delights to just be with me. How amazing is that?
 
I might also suggest that this is teaching me about trusting God. Trusting that when I take the time to just be with God, the world will keep on spinning, the things that I need to get done will still get done and, if I am honest, maybe a little reduction in my to-do list as God points out his to-do list for me.
 
On the course, we heard from people who regularly spend hours in silence just being with God and the joy they have gained from spending this time with the Lord. 
 
I haven’t found this practice easy at all and would count myself as a complete beginner. I have made shopping lists and thought about work meetings. Remembering that God is delighted to just spend time with me, for me to just be in his presence, will keep me trying to get better in being with and trusting God.
 
A prayer - Heavenly Father, thank you that you delight in spending time with me. Help me to choose to come into your presence and just be, bathing in your glory and love. Amen

Photo by Veri Ivanova on Unsplash