“The Lord is here” - 31 October 2006

 

 

 

Let’s face it sometimes as Christians we can express what is true in an extraordinarily naff way.  A little while ago I came across these “pieces of art” http://members.aol.com/JesusImages/index.htm which make me laugh because I think they’re so naff.   At the same time for all my scoffing I cannot deny they express a wonderful truth.  (Apologies to anyone who I may have mortally offended who likes and has bought one of these pics.)

Brother Lawrence was a monk who lived out his vocation humbly by serving in the kitchens of a Carmelite monastery.  His short piece of writing The Practice of the Presence of God has been read through the ages because it offers great insight into meeting with and enjoying God in the every day.

I want to share some of his lessons that may help us to enjoy a greater reality of what the Bible says we’ve already got, Colossians 2:10 “and you have been given fullness in Christ…” 

He wrote “That practice which is… the most needful in the spiritual life is the practice of the presence of God.  It is the schooling of the soul to find its joy in his divine companionship, holding with him at all times…”

And continued “We should apply ourselves unceasingly to this one end, to so rule all our actions that they be little acts of communion with God…”

The first point then is this – it takes discipline to seek and enjoy God throughout the day.  We need to train our minds to that end.  We need to switch off the autopilot with which we cruise through our activities and make a point of reminding ourselves of God’s presence.

Today ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of his presence in and with you – and why not plan in some reminders – maybe 3 or 4 – prompts you know you’ll take heed of to remind yourself of his presence, it may help to pray through that Colossians verse as you do.