Time Alone with God

Under the pressures of all that today and tomorrow holds, we get caught up and forget that the most important thing we could do is spend time alone with God. In the book, Jesus Calling, yesterday's devotion gently reminded me of how much the world tries to "squeeze you into it's mold and crowd out time" meant for you to spend with the Lord. We get distracted and sideline the most crucial part of our day, spending time with our Heavenly Father.

Romans 8:38-39 "For I am convinced that neither life nor death, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

Recently, I was feeling very dry spiritually and very overwhelmed by life circumstances. But I knew it wasn't because I wasn't praying or wasn't reading my Bible. I couldn't figure out how I got to this uncomfortable and lonely place when I was doing the right things and I know the truths of the Word of God. I could preach them to myself, yet I felt like there was this wall between me and Him and I couldn't tear it down. This went on for weeks. I continued to pray and ask for God's help in different areas of my life and I prayed for my family and church and others. I just couldn't figure it out. Why was I feeling so distant?

Then one morning, as I sat on my knees, I broke down and cried out for the Lord not to hide His face from me any longer. I needed Him to be near me. I prayed that I might rest in His holy presence and hide under His loving wings. I prayed for Him not to leave me alone. In those very moments, the Lord showed up. He whispered to my heart that He was always there and listening. He had never left me. He ONLY wanted me to seek His face. I cried, I rejoiced, I felt an overwhelming peace wash over me. Nothing can separate me from the love of God! Oh what a loving and merciful God we serve!

Jesus is ever present. His love is a constant in our lives. He never changes, never wavers. Do we have times when we don't feel His presence? Of course! Does that mean He isn't there? Absolutely not! 

All too often we are only seeking God's hand and not His face. 

We want what He can offer us and forget to love and cherish who He is. Today, take the time to seek the Lord's face with a thankful heart. Spend time in His presence without asking Him for anything. Desire to be with Him and Him alone. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you.

Rest in the knowledge that "Time spent alone with God is never wasted."