Sitting Awhile With Jesus
Taking time just to sit awhile is precious time indeed. Taking time to sit awhile with Jesus, to sit with Him, no questions of what to do or what not, but just sitting with Him is priceless. When I spend that time with Him, a peace that passes all my understanding fills my heart and soul.
I'm not talking about my morning time before my feet hit the floor. That time is my alignment time with God, my Heavenly Father. Acknowledging who He is, who I am as His daughter, my gratitude for a new day, letting Him know my dedication to Him and what His plans are for the day. It's not to say I don't already have plans, but it is saying my plans are always available for adjustment if there are divine interruptions that may be in His plan.
The morning time is getting set for the day, and I put on my spiritual armor, spiritually getting dressed. Can you imagine me running around on a battlefield in my pajamas, with no protection at all, and being more like a sitting duck with a target on my back than a daughter of the most high God?
So I'm clear: there are days I've jumped out of bed and didn't take my morning time, and Satan's minions are having a party and lining up with all sorts of agitation and traps set for the day because they know I'm that fool running around forgetting I'm in my pajamas with no protection, no apparent or immediate connection to my Father (I left Him when I jumped out of bed).
Once the arrows fly or I inevitably step into a trap, I remember how I started the day. Father, forgive me for running ahead and not getting centered and grounded in you before my feet hit the floor. I settle my spirit and heart and reconnect.
My morning time is extraordinary and needed beyond words, but when I talk about sitting awhile with Jesus, that is quite a different interaction. The closest description I can come up with is when you are driving with a best friend, a close friend, or a soul mate, and you don't speak for long periods but enjoy being in each other's presence. You don't need anything; you are not asking for anything; just being together is all that is needed.
That description is close but not complete when describing sitting awhile with Jesus.
There's a song by Josh Groban, "You Raise Me Up." There are a couple of lines in the song that bring me back to a sacred place. Here are the words:
“When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come, and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.”
My picture is sitting on a dock with my feet dangling in the water. Jesus and I just sat for a while. Peace floods my soul, and I know a love transcending human comprehension. In time, we start to talk. The Holy Spirit may bring to mind a particular Scripture, or I will ask the Lord to help me understand or clarify something that has been rolling around in my soul. This time with Jesus is humbling, awe-inspiring, and healing all at the same time. Priceless!
Being reminded, I can trust the Holy Spirit to guide and empower me. Choosing to listen to that "still small voice" will be my ally as it slows my mind and spirit so I can be deliberate about whatever or whoever I encounter. I may not completely control my circumstances, but I have absolute control over my response. The Holy Spirit provides wisdom, courage, power, insight, love, grace, kindness, joy, and peace for every situation.
Jesus and the Holy Spirit remind me that we are born into a world at war. This war is not of flesh and blood but of powers and principalities of this dark world and God. The prize, as it were, is our souls and hearts, here and for eternity. God has provided all we need to stand firm and thrive and be light in the darkness so others can see His love for them.
The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but spiritual and more powerful than any weapon the enemy can wield. The Name of Jesus is more powerful and is above all powers and principalities.
There have been times when my circumstances felt overwhelming, taking my breath away, and then even in a whisper, I say the name of Jesus; I repeat it over and over. All at once, I felt a strength and hope that temptation, guilt, fear, condemnation, and hate could not defeat me; Jesus had already conquered sin, death, and the grave. Satan must obey even with the whisper of the name of Jesus.
We need to write down the names and titles on our hearts and remind ourselves over and over who Jesus is to us, not just as a whole but individually; He knows each of us by name. We need to remember who He is, what He has done, and the victory that is His alone.
Debbie McDaniel wrote an article on the 50 names and titles of Jesus Christ with Bible verses. I love it! It is a powerful statement of who Jesus is.
I provided the link to the article 50 Names and Titles of Jesus / Debbie McDaniel.
We also have "The Whole Armor of God" in our arsenal.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”
We are not alone as we remember who the enemy is and is not. We don't need to defend the name of Jesus; He has already proved the Name of Jesus is above all names, powers, and principalities. We need to walk in it.
We need to guard our hearts, discipline our minds, soul, and spirit, and have self-control over our time, activities, bodies, what we watch, what we choose to think about, how we spend our time, and with whom. We must be careful who and what we allow in our inner circle, those we allow to speak into our lives.
We are children of the most high God, heirs with Christ Jesus; we are God's anointed and appointed for a time such as this. God so loved us that He sacrificed and gave His only begotten Son to conquer sin, death, and the grave so that we might live victoriously here on Earth as we will in Heaven for an eternity with Him.
Can you take time today to sit on the dock for a while with Him, dangling your feet in the water and allowing His love and grace to wash over you?