He does not ask much of us

He does not ask much of us. 

Well, this is the opinion of Brother Lawrence, in his book Practising the Presence of God. He writes to all followers of Jesus:

“He (Jesus) does not ask much of us, merely a thought of Him from time to time, a little act of adoration, sometimes to ask for His grace, sometimes to offer Him your sufferings, at other times to thank Him for the graces, past and present, He has bestowed on you, in the midst of your troubles to take solace in Him as often as you can. Lift up your heart to Him during your meals and in company; the least little remembrance will always be the most pleasing to Him. One need not cry out very loudly; He is nearer to us than we think.”

I understand what Brother Lawrence is getting at - it doesn't take much for us to acknowledge Jesus in our daily lives - to honour him with every waking moment. Sadly, for some people, even this is too much.

1 John 5:2 - This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Divine absence

Do you sometimes feel that God has gone AWOL?
Is there a sense that God is absent from your life?
This feeling is actually common amongst us Christians, but we are not comfortable telling others how we feel and so we carry this burden alone.

In his book, 'Closer than a brother', David Winter reflects on one of Brother Lawrence's letters in which he shares on this topic. This is what he writes:

"It is true that our experience of God's presence varies with intensity. Sometimes, usually when we are busy in our daily work, there are occasions when we become aware of the divine absence - not that God has gone away, but that we have forgotten he is there..."

So, it is clear that the 'divine absence' is not really what is going on, because God is with us always. However, we have shifted our attention away from the things of God for a time and so we have become consumed with our own struggles. Brother Lawrence then suggests a prayer that we can pray, to help us re-establish our 'connection' with God.

"O my God,
Here I am.
All that I am is yours.
Make of me whatever you want."

1 Thessalonians 3:9 - "How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence."

Remember that God is with you today, even if you feel that He is absent.

A.W.Tozer - “We need never shout across the spaces to an absent God. He is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts”

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Practising the presence of God

I am enjoying reading (again) Brother Lawrence's book "The Practice of the Presence of God." It is really inspiring. Here is a little snippet from this book. I pray that it may inspire the start of your week. Grace and peace to you.

“He does not ask much of us, 
merely a thought of Him from time to time, 
a little act of adoration, 
sometimes to ask for His grace, 
sometimes to offer Him your sufferings, 
at other times to thank Him for the graces, past and present, 
He has bestowed on you, 
in the midst of your troubles to take solace in Him as often as you can. 
Lift up your heart to Him during your meals and in company;
the least little remembrance will always be the most pleasing to Him. 
One need not cry out very loudly; 
He is nearer to us than we think.”

I LOVE IT!!!

Psalm 16:8 -  I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Living in Grace
D3LM3