BEING WITH HIM
28th Jul 2021
One afternoon during this hot spell our son Daniel came and spent an hour or so just being with us. We had no agenda, sometime he comes over and cuts the grass or fixes something, but this time we just chatted in an unhurried way, and it was good.
I was thanking God for our children and reflecting on this particular time with Daniel - we fellowshipped and enjoyed each others company. God then spoke to me in this vein - He reminded me that I am made in His image and likeness (Genesis 1) and I have emotions as He does. Just as I had pleasure in an hour spent with Daniel, He enjoys time spent with His children. He loves to interact with us, to “be” with us; it’s a natural relationship seeking to listen as well as speak, not simply outlining problems or requesting help.
As a Father He will engage with us wherever we are and meet our needs as we bring them to Him. However, just as my pleasure was found with companionship with our son, God enjoys us when we have no particular agenda but want simply to be with Him.
It gives Him pleasure when we thrive and tell Him about our victories and answers to prayer. Of course, He already knows, but He enjoys us telling Him. As we rest in His presence, we are satisfied at a deep level and because His nature is life giving, we will receive without necessarily realising and collect treasure that we will be able to give to others.
Psalm 16:11 says, “You fill me with joy in your presence, and at your right hand are pleasures for evermore.” God has an agenda for us to become like Him! He wants His character to be reciprocated in ours. He is love and wants us to love. He is healer and wants us to heal others in the Name of Jesus. He exudes praise and joy and wants us to reflect this side of His character as Jesus did.
As He is, so He wants us to be - impossible? No, but only achieved by death to self and resurrection to a new life dependant on the Holy Spirit’s resources and power.
What a challenge! And yet what a privilege - “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)
by Joyce Sibthorpe
