His Presence

The Practice of the Presence of God, the version edited and paraphrased by Donald E. Demaray, reveals the deeper meanings behind Brother Lawrence's work. After the Bible this is my second most treasured book. It has a very special place in my heart. As the Lord grows me, I find more meaning than I did when I was just a sprout. It's taken sixteen years of childhood, and one and a half years of trials, joys, and lonesomeness to finally understand. Brother Lawrence expresses my most current revelation, of my relationship with the Lord, beautifully. He says, "..I began to live as if He and I were the only ones alive in the world." (pg.42). With Him I am alive. He is my source, my life-line, my awakening, my hope etc. Some would say this is obvious (Rom.6:11), and it is. But how many live from Him every day, throughout every moment, minute, and second? Brother Lawrence says this, "..We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God." (pg.35). To do things for God we must be under His leadership, drawing the resources from His will and power. What I love though is the phrase and idea of "doing out of love". Acting in His name, for His name, for Him because we love Him (1 John 4:19). To live as if with only God, for God in all things, out of love. This is what I have recognized, what I see, and know now in the basics of everyday life.  My dad always says, "Stay plugged into the Lord!" The more we reach out to God, the more I find He reveals Himself, in small ways and large ways. Knowing Him will take a lifetime and eternity, but the little I do learn of Him, makes me trust Him more. From the big things even down to the small things. I find that the more I let Him into my life, heart, and mind, the more I give Him of myself. The more I trust, the more I love. The more I live for Him, out of love. Mr. Demaray says that Brother Lawrence, "..Had resolved to make loving God the purpose of everything he did. This way of living gave him every reason to be satisfied. He said he was glad even to pick up a straw from the ground if he could do it to show his love to God. That kind of love seeks God only- that and nothing else not even His gifts." (pg.15). Yet again this theme  has come across in my readings in Mrs.E.Prentiss' "Stepping Heavenward". She says, her character Mrs.Campbell is speaking of the mature Christian, "Love to Christ becomes the abiding, inmost principle of life; he loves Him rather for what He is than for what He has done or will do for him.." (pg.316). I think not only for what God is to us, but mainly for who He is. I pray the Lord grows my love for Him. He's been so dear, so faithful, and so very patient. I hope for all those who are learning of Christ, that they too will also be able to understand that beyond the life, rewards, purpose, and  place in His flock and army, that His love is the most pure, beautiful, and selfless gift ever to be freely offered. Let us not wait but take up His offer, allowing Him into every area of our everyday lives. We let Him in, because he cares, for me, for you behind the the computer screen (1Pet.5:7b). He loves us so much, words could not express, so He gave His son. because actions speak louder than words. Let us not be believers who preach that which we do not live out. The great part is, if we draw life from Him, He does all the living through us. All we have to do is trust Him.