On the first day of Summer

Van Halen wrote, “Summer’s here and the time is right for dancin’ in the streets.” I have to admit I enjoy the break from driving the school bus each afternoon and sleeping a little later each morning (6:30 instead of 5:30). I do seem to plan a few more projects than I will even attempt much less get done in the “break.” The lazy time allows for a back to basic approach. I time when I consider what it is that is core to who I am and what I am to do. What do I really believe about God and how does my behavior reflect my beliefs. The core to all of that is the dynamic of relationship with my Father in heaven.

Two core values of faith in Jesus are being and doing. Being in the presence of God each moment of the day and doing what he asks, following him in his plan and purpose. The first is being in his presence and how we might do that continually when we can’t see God, like the wind. We can see the results of the wind as moss sways in the trees or dist covers our car but we cannot see the wind. Likewise we can see every moment the results of God’s presence but not himself. Sometimes our “eyesight” fades and it is so very hard to see the results of God’s presence. How can we sharpen our eyesight, heighten our senses to the presence of God?

Max Lucado in Just Like Jesus has some tips for heightening our awareness of God and his presence in our daily lives. They are simple and yet profound to our relationship and awareness of that relationship.

1.        Give God your waking thoughts.  Before we do anything even get out of bed get into his presence in thought and spirit.

2.        Give God your waiting thoughts. Spend time with him in silence. I find this best done before I begin other tasks lest I forget.

3.        Give God your whispering thoughts. Consider every moment as a potential time of communion with God. As you pick fruit from a bush or sit waiting in traffic, every moment has potential presence packed in it.

4.        Give God your waning thoughts. As you end your day consider God’s activity in the hours gone by. Finish in the presence of the One who loves you so and not Jay Leno.

Those thoughts are so simple and yet so fundamental to our experience within the presence of God. So elemental to our realizing God is around and in us working inviting us into his task and accomplishments.      

In HIS Service and Yours,

BroG