Living Daily What Matters Most

Doing what God designed us to do under His direction in every season of our life gives our lives balance, margin and vitality. 

I have decided to do a series of blog posts this week about Living Daily What Matters Most. Lest you think I am oh-so-brilliant, let me tell you that much of this is inspired by our message from yesterdays sermon. Our pastor gave us 7 things that scripture points to as mattering most in our Christian walk. Since there are 7, I am going to do a post each day for 7 days around these topics, using scripture references and my own personal journaling to explore it.


KNOWING
We were designed to KNOW God. 

John 17.3b ... and this is the way to have eternal life-- to know You, the only true God and Jesus Christ, the one You sent to earth.

Deuteronomy 8.3b... real life comes from feeding on every word of the Lord.

James 4.8a ... draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

I am as close to God as I choose to be....

I used to think there were times in my life God where had abandoned me. During times of dark trials, when my cries went seemingly unheard, when depression and despair threatened to pull me under, the thoughts would arise: where are you God? I would read through the Psalms and identify with David when he cried out in a similar fashion. (Psalm 10.1 : O Lord why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I need you most?)

Someone threw out the question: if God seems far away, who moved? I have heard others share of times they call their 'wilderness experience' where they felt ignored by God for a season. Times when God was seemingly silent.

I think there are times when God is silent because of an un-confessed sin in my life. And I have also come to think that perhaps there are times when God is silent so I will be more diligent about seeking him out. When I can't find my cat, I look for him, calling, entreating him to come back. The cat of course, is being a cat, and there is no rhyme or reason for his actions. Still, if I am willing to work so hard to find the cat, can I not be so driven to seek out God?

God is God. He never changes.  He say He loves me and that never stops. He doesn't just decide one day that He doesn't like me anymore and He doesn't want to be around me. Yes, when I sin, God turns His face away. He is Holy and cannot abide in the presence of evil. But when I am walking in His path for my life and suddenly His presence seems far away... and I have examined my life,  confessed wrong doings and received his forgiveness, there may still be times when the distance between us is... uncomfortable. Those are the times I believe, God desires me to press in, seek Him more earnestly, not taking His presence for granted. I think it is in these times that I grow more.. in depth of trust, knowledge and wisdom. God wants me to KNOW HIM. He never abandons me. But I think at times, He does want me to do a little exercise for his presence.

I am as close to God as I chose to be. So.... I chose to be as close to You God as I possibly can be.

one of my favorite songs has these beautiful words....

Draw me close to You
Never let me go
I lay it all down again
To hear You say that I'm Your friend

You are my desire
No one else will do
'Cause nothing else could take Your place
To feel the warmth of Your embrace
Help me find the way
Bring me back to You

You're all I want
You're all I've ever needed
You're all I want
Help me know You are near


by Kelly Carpenter
to enjoy this rendition by the Katina's click here!!