Thirsty - Longing for God

"Just as a deer longs for running streams,
God, I long for you.
I am thirsty for God, for the living God!
When can I come and appear before God?
My tears are my food, day and night,
while all day people ask me, “Where is your God?” - Psalm 42:1-3

"The soul must long for God in order to be set aflame by God's love; but if the soul cannot yet feel the longing, then it must long for the longing. To long for the longing is also from God."- Meister Eckhart

"All who are thirsty
All who are weak
Come to the fountain
Dip your heart in the stream of life
Let the pain and the sorrow
Be washed away
In the waves of his mercy
As deep cries out to deep"- Brenton Brown 

Thought: As you long for the presence of God, I pray that you would encounter God's mercy and grace.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Dealing with distractions this Holy Season

As we embark upon this sacred season of Holy Week, there are many things that threaten to distract us from doing the most important of our tasks. And for any believer, the most important task we should be doing at this time of the year, is to worship Jesus. 

Period! 

No question about it!

So, what is stopping you from setting meaningful time aside to worship Jesus? How can you realistically cut out these distractions for a week or so? To try and help us get the ball rolling, here are some words from Meister Eckhart.

“Some people prefer solitude. They say their peace of mind depends on this. 

Others say they would be better off in church.
If you do well, you do well wherever you are. 

If you fail, you fail wherever you are.
Your surroundings don't matter. God is with you everywhere - in the marketplace as well as in seclusion or in the church.
If you look for nothing but God, nothing or no one can disturb you.
God is not distracted by a multitude of things.
Nor can we be.” - Meister Eckhart

Jesus says it best, when he speaks to Martha (Luke 10:40-42):

"But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Planting in the soil of Contemplation

Meister Eckhart once remarked: "What we plant in the soil of contemplation, we shall reap in the harvest of action." 

This time of the year has always been a time of contemplation for many of us. In reality, we must make a conscious effort to slow down, or else our opportunity to reflect could be taken from us. Contemplation is both a discipline and a choice. When we allow God the space to speak into the stillness of our lives, many of these seeds will bear fruit later in our lives.

2 Corinthians 3:18 - And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Aristotle added his thoughts to this discussion: "The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival."

As you reflect on all that has gone before you, and contemplate the future, my God be very near to you.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Loving a Cow

“Some people want to see God with their eyes as they see a cow, and to love Him as they love a cow - for the milk and cheese and profit it brings them. This is how it is with people who love God for the sake of outward wealth or inward comfort. They do not rightly love God, when they love Him for their own advantage." - Meister Eckhart

These words of Meister Eckhart really hit home as they challenge us to reflect on the real reasons why we love God. Do we just love God because we expect something in return or out of fear? If this is the starting point of our worship and love, then we will surely be disappointed. 

The same applies with our children - if they loved us only because of what we could give them or buy for them, we would eventually feel used and unloved. 

Question: Is it possible to love someone (or God) just because of who they are? If yes, then what stops us from loving in this way?

1 John 4:7 - Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Nearer to God

“I am as sure as I live that nothing is so near to me as God. God is nearer to me than I am to myself; my existence depends on the nearness and the presence of God.” - Meister Eckhart

Deuteronomy 5:27 - Go near and listen to all that the Lord our God says. Then tell us whatever the Lord our God tells you. We will listen and obey.”

Psalm 73:28 - But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

How do you experience the 'nearness' of God?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Mistakes

Don't be so afraid to make a mistake that you end up doing nothing. Fear can prevent us from living the abundant life. Can you imagine if Peter, James and John (and the other early disciples) were so afraid of making mistakes that they never ventured out of the Upper Room. The world would never have got to hear of the Gospel of Jesus.

"The price of inaction is far greater than the cost of making a mistake." - Meister Eckhart

Don't be afraid to try, especially if it could bring glory to Jesus.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

The "Thank You" prayer

Meister Eckhart once remarked:
"If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough."

We don't thank God enough for all that he has done for us and for the blessings we have been given. Instead of praying a complicated prayer today, why don't you just allow these 2 words to be your prayer for the day.

THANK YOU.
Thank
You.
Thank you Jesus.

1 Chronicles 16:34 - "Give thanks to God—he is good and his love never quits. Say, “Save us, Savior God, round us up and get us out of these godless places, So we can give thanks to your holy Name, and bask in your life of praise.”(MSG)

Living in Grace
D3LM3