Enter into the silence

I want to take a few moments to write down some thoughts that have occurred to me lately. It is SO important to take time out and distance ourselves from the world--to enter into the quiet and stillness where God can be found and is waiting for us.

Sometimes this place is a scary place. Allowing ourselves to be present with God means He may ask things of us that are difficult. He may ask us to change things about ourself that we don't really want to change (and may even love about ourselves) or uproot bad habits or any number of difficult things. Sometimes we avoid transparency and closeness with God, without even meaning to, because in our heart of hearts we fear what drawing nearer to God might entail.

I really believe, however, that only in this quiet place where our fears are exposed and surrender is offered, true healing begins from the damage caused by sin and flesh. Only here can we hope to really separate ourselves from the (often many) ungodly attachments we have in our lives. Growth in holiness will be quicker as we immerse ourselves in total reliance on Jesus ALONE and not in ourselves.

Jesus gave us this example when He, too, withdrew Himself from the world to spend time with His Father. He also chose to surrender to the Father's Will despite the agony it resulted in. If we are called to strip away parts of ourself and that process results in agony, it will all be worth it in the end. We can't know what God has in store for those of us who choose to love Him and serve Him HERE, in THIS world. The time is NOW! This is our opportunity, I pray we won't pass it up.