“The Lord is here” - 2 November 2006

 

 

 

Beginning, middle and end.

“The presence of God is an applying of our Spirit to God, or a realization of God as present, which is borne home to us either by the imagination or by the understanding.”

Another lesson Brother Lawrence teaches is the habit of seeking God in our tasks – he talks of taking short pauses to enjoy God’s presence in our work… “Make it your study, before taking up any task to look to God, be it only for a moment…”

This look to God isn’t so much to ask him for help with what you’re doing – rather to express love to God and to receive that sense of his love for us.  This habit, he suggests, we should teach ourselves before we do something, as we’re doing it, and as we finish.

Beginning, middle and end.

He goes on to write of a friend, “He says that by unwearying efforts, by constantly recalling his mind to the presence of God, a habit has been formed within him of such a nature that…his soul lifts itself up above all earthly matters, without care or forethought on his part, and dwells as it were firmly stayed on God.”

His friend was able to experience this presence not just in devotional times, but at his “work” in the garden, in study, whilst cleaning or working in the kitchens.

Today why not try to experience our extraordinary God in the ordinary things of everyday life.  Maybe starting with confession; set your heart on him in what you’re doing - beginning, middle and end.