The Gentle Joy of Life with God

God has designed us to enjoy a conversational relationship with Him; to know the gentle joy of life with God.

Let’s being two powerful truths together:

ONE: our effortless and unbreakable union with the happy God (the great legacy of the cross);

TWO: and the interactive realm of God where he speaks to bless, direct, show us things we can do … generally have a wonderfully enjoyable daily life with him.

All the gifts of the Spirit function out of a hearing relationship with God; I would add, more than that, a conversational relationship with God. We certainly want to hear in order to prophecy or share a word of knowledge: and we hear by word and picture impressions, by thoughts, by scripture coming to us, etc. But we also must hear what to do to minister healing or deliverance in any particular situation.

Psalm 139:1-18 is a like a love letter (try to read it in Kenneth Taylor’s ‘Living Bible’) – it’s Jesus letting us know that he’s living-out an inseparable life with us – he is constantly thinking about us: he is continually aware of every building we enter, every room where in, every person with whom we’re doing business, every road we travel on, the vehicle we’re in, the people in the car with us, the plans we’re making, the fun we enjoy, the sadness’s we encounter, the decisions we must make, the music we love listening to, our favourite TV shows . . .

And all the time, placing his hand of blessing on my head.

I have met many a believer who would not like the thought of such a continual presence in all they are doing . . . but that’s because they discount the enormity of the grace of God toward them; the grace that stoops, that forgives; love in which there is mercy without judgement.

We read of Brother Lawrence (the Monastery cook) in a book titled “The Practice of the Presence of God”. I was struck by a wonderful idea: according to Psalm 139, God has been practicing the presence of David (please insert your own name) for a long time – Jesus lives in the reality of his union with me: I am in him and he is in me – nothing hinders his awareness or enjoyment of this reality.

As a young man, working each day in a kitchen, Brother Lawrence, discovered the simple art of conducting his life in a continual interaction with God. The thing that I found most helpful from his testimony was that the practical key to practicing the presence of God was keeping a conversation going with God through the day.

I learned that gently talking to the Lord, rather than just thinking, brings a far greater awareness of the nearness of Jesus … and the release of joy that accompanies that.

A few quotes from “The Practice of the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence

1. ✦   Brother Lawrence insisted that it is necessary to always be aware of God’s presence by talking with him throughout each day. To think that you must abandon conversation with him in order to deal with the world is erroneous.
   

1. ✦   In the beginning, Brother Lawrence declared that a little effort was needed to form the habit of continuously conversing with God, telling him everything that was happening. But after a little careful practice, God’s love refreshed him, and it became quite easy.
   

1. ✦   When any outside business unnecessarily diverted him from his communication with God, a little reminder came from the Lord which took possession of his soul, flooding it with the image of God. This sometimes set him in fire to the point that he felt a great impulse to shout praises, to sing, and to dance before the Lord with joy.
   

I know a young pastor who carries with him a letter from his doctor, written especially for the benefit of places like airport security – it explains that Mr Dunn is perfectly healthy and sound but is prone to having profound religious experiences of joy.

1. ✦   “During your meals or during any daily duty, lift up your heart to him. You don’t have to pray out loud; he’s nearer than you can imagine. These conversations can be so loving and gentle, and anyone can have them.
   

I thought about the current evangelism model pioneered by Kevin Dedmon, called ‘Treasure Hunting’. It involves going into public places armed with picture impressions of people, and words of knowledge, encouragements or healing prayer for them. I began to visualise a continual conversation with God having a similar effect wherever we go – whether a planned ‘Treasure Hunt’ initiative or not. I even could see part of my conversation with God including, “You do realise how freaky I find this Jesus, don’t you?”

1. ✦   Since you believe that God is always with you, no, matter what you may be doing, why shouldn’t you stop for awhile to adore him, to praise him, to petition him, to offer him your heart, and to thank him? Stop for a few moments to enjoy him.
   

1. ✦   In the beginning of this practice, it would not be wrong to offer short phrases that are inspired by love, such as “Lord, I am all yours,” “God of love, I love you with all my heart,” or “Lord, use me according to your will.”
   

1. ✦   Although this exercise may be difficult ay first to maintain, it has marvelous effects on the soul when faithfully practiced. It draws the graces of the Lord down in abundance and shows the soul how to see God’s presence everywhere with a pure and loving vision.