Learning to Actually Practice God’s presence
You can CHOOSE to practice the actual presence of God with you. Yes, like so many of the other things that God desires for us, it is a choice. We can be like Brother Lawrence, who wrote about choosing the wonderful discipline in his book: “Practicing the Presence of God”. He was a monk, who worked hard in the kitchens of the convent, many years ago, when there were few of the conveniences we are accustomed to, and where demands from others were frequent. He spent his entire life seeking that goal. He was able to discipline his thoughts and heart to continually practice God’s presence.
Live consciously in God’s presence today and every day
We can also learn from Frank Laubach and his “Game With Minutes”. He sought to answer the question: Is it really possible to be totally aware of God every minute of every day? Frank took on that challenge and was delighted with the change it made in him. And Frank says about the next generation: “Instead of teaching young people to listen to long prayers and longer sermons on Sunday morning, teach them to make brief sentence prayers many times a day; teach them that prayer is the best way to meet every need and every task.” Immanuel. God with us. Practicing God’s presence moment by moment, by speaking with Him moment by moment.
This simple discipline can give you the peace you seek
David Jeremiah shares about Immanuel from an old book “The Family Christian Almanac”. The book seems to be a parenting book. The theme shared was–remembering God is with me. With you. Constantly. Daily. Moment by Moment. Living our lives in a progressively greater reality of it. God is with you. He really is. We just need to remember to remember that! AND we are to also pass on to the next generation, the reality of Immanuel being as close as our breath! ALWAYS.
Quoting from that parenting “Almanac” publication:
“Oh that I might write on the threshold of every child’s entrance into wedded life: Immanuel—God with us.’
“Oh that I might write on the garments that my child wears, so that they should [see]…the motto, ‘Immanuel—God with us.’
”Oh that I might write it on every book and task. Oh that it might be inscribed on every fear and sorrow—‘God with us.’
“Always and everywhere I would have for my motto, ‘Immanuel’.”
“There is nothing like the consciousness of Immanuel for men that are fighting the battles of life. Give me, of all the mottoes, ‘God with me.’ “
What is your focus this year?
It is so easy to get caught up in the busy-ness of the season. And family time. And travel. Of course, at Christmas time, we focus on the baby in the cradle. And the star. And the wise men. And the shepherds. And of course Mary and Joseph. And giving of gifts.
Will you accept my challenge?
Will you choose to do whatever it takes to remind yourself to remember to focus on the fact that God is with you every moment? Will you analyze at the end of each day how much time did you actually focus on the fact that GOD IS WITH YOU? And then will you choose to start afresh the next day? Don’t give up.
Because, it is actually a vital discipline. The peace and joy it brings to your life is beyond description. Because, He is actually WITH you. Always, as He reminds you: “I am with you always…” Matthew 28:20
May this be your merriest Immanuel-awareness Christmas ever! (And beyond to EVERY day!) Please, let me know if you accept the challenge AND how it goes for you along the way. You can use the blue button to connect so we can encourage each other in this journey! Merry Christmas!
God bless you bunches!
Thank you for all you do!
Awaiting His shout,
The MomCourager™
