Do you have a friend or family member with whom you enjoy spending time alone? Perhaps that person is just a joy to be around. Maybe he or she makes you laugh. You expect your time with them to be a certain way. You settle down and just abide in their presence because it’s easy to be with them.
What do you expect from your time alone with God?
Just like when you spend time with a friend, your time with God will be fulfilling. It’s a time of praise and thanksgiving, but it’s also a time of abiding. Just like you linger over a cup of coffee with a friend, you can linger in the presence of God. Just like a friend will encourage you, you can find encouragement from God. Just as you get advice from a friend, you can get advice from God. I might add that you won’t have to wonder if His is right. 🙂
And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
Genesis 3:8
Adam met with God in the garden in the cool of the day. I have to wonder if this was a regular appointment at a fixed time of day. Was it always in the same location?
I have several favorite places that I go to meet with God. Granted, we can pray any time of day and anywhere. God can speak to us at any time of day and anywhere. However, I find it wonderful and helpful to have a place set aside that I can go. I prefer a place free of distractions. I like to close the door to keep the noise out. I like to take some paper and a pen to write down what God impresses upon my heart. When possible, I like to play praise music beforehand.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hebrews 11:6
Seek God. That is the point of spending time alone with God. The purpose is to seek God. Seek to hear God. Seek God’s will for you. Seek to please God. Seek wisdom from God. Seek to praise God. Seek to give thanks. Seek to really worship God.
If you have not ever set out to seek God, perhaps you have not ever had – or maybe it’s been a while – what I call a God encounter. A God encounter is when God and God’s love and care for you become as real to you as that friend with whom you love to have that cup of coffee. It’s when God’s presence leaves you nothing short of on your knees or face down on the floor in worship because of His overwhelming power and love.
LIFE APPLICATION
Today’s challenge is to seek God. Perhaps you have not ever tried to seek out God’s presence in the way I have described. I encourage you to spend time in prayer and time seeking. If you ever have a God encounter like I have described, you will be forever changed.