In this modern time, more Christian activity is equated to greater devotion. There must be an outworking to our faith, but sometimes the greater things are hidden in smaller places. Before Jesus came, people had to travel to a building to meet with God. Now, the hope of glory is Christ in us. It is more than a theological truth. There is the sound of the ocean in our heart.
Many believers spend a great deal of effort in the obtaining of head knowledge. Without a knowledge of God’s nature as revealed in the Bible, we can fall into all sorts of error, so there is wisdom in learning the Word. The problem is that we often stop at head knowledge. There are wonderful analogies for this to include being so content with the restaurant menu that we starve to death at the table while the kitchen stands ready to feed us or living at the welcome booth when the brochures are meant to introduce us to what lies ahead.
One of the challenges is that there is so much background noise and so much motion that we cannot hear the Spirit of God who resides within us. This has been particularly difficult for me. Growing up, I gained the understanding that to be in God’s Presence required constant activity. I doubt that anyone intentionally taught me that, but I was told that clearing your mind while waiting on God was a door to the demonic. It has been a long road for me to unlearn what I was taught. From what I have read, Eastern mysticism does include a discipline of blocking out all thoughts and even all feelings in order to focus on the sense of “nothingness”. That is not what I talking about.
A few years back, I had a distinct dream in which I was staying at someone’s home. I was apparently recovering from some illness or damage though I was not aware of anything physically wrong with me. One morning, I got up early. When I walked out into the living area, the father of the house was sitting on the couch. With great boldness, I quietly sat on the couch next to him. After a while, I gently and affectionately laid my head on his shoulder. I never said a word to him, but I was very much in his presence.
Soaking worship in a group setting has been an occasional part of our life. I have spent many a session praying frantically and trying to connect with God. Recently, I asked the Holy Spirit what I should be getting out of these times. He spoke to my heart these words: “Be aware of my presence and acknowledge my nearness”.
God requires more reliance and more quiet trust that we know. Activity will come and obedience has a tangible form, but it must proceed from a place of trust. Can you hear the sound of the ocean in your heart? Draw near to the often invisible but very real Presence of God.
