Being still in His presence

By Ruth Ann Replogle, columnist

June 25, 2009 11:36 pm

— In my last column I touched on the idea you and I need to consciously step away daily from anything requiring a plug-in or a battery and spend time with the Lord.
"Be still, and know that I am God ...” says Psalm 46:10.
The Message translates the passage: “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.”
In the two weeks since you read my last column, did you slow down long enough to be still in the quiet presence of the Lord?
As I recently prepared to participate in my women’s Bible study, the Lord revealed to me I might have left you hanging. I realized I presented the problem we all struggle with, but I forgot to include possible solutions.
There are two things to think about when you decide to discipline yourself before the Lord each day: when and where. When are you going to carve out time with Him and where are you going to go so you are not distracted?
The Lord spoke to me I should look Him up first thing in the morning, shortly after I get my contacts in. As a fellow sister in Christ told me, this allows me to start fresh since my “hard drive” is empty.
I also quickly discovered if I try to go about my everyday tasks and go to work without consulting God beforehand, my day absolutely, positively will be screwed up. I might get ugly with folks for no good reason or get frustrated with something and be ready to run over it with my truck — all because I failed to get centered with God that morning.
I’ve chosen to take time out in my living room, on the recliner, tucked away in the corner. Just me, my Bible and workbook, pen and the Lord. The kitchen table seemed like the ideal place initially, but since that is my scrapbooking table and home office workstation, my attention kept getting diverted.
I asked some girlfriends what worked for them when settling in for their quiet time with God. Most agreed with me in that morning before work was best. As for a location, I heard the following: porch or patio, spare bedroom, kitchen counter, living room.
If this is all new to you and you’ve not considered being still before the Lord, perhaps you should.
God wants us to spend time with Him ... and not just on Sunday or Wednesday at church.
He earnestly wants a personal, intimate relationship with you and me.
I believe among the reasons we don’t set aside time with the Lord to build that relationship is we don’t get excited about Him or we don’t truly trust Him.
Priscilla Shirer, in “Discerning the Voice of God,” stated, “Many of us don’t really believe God will speak to us and give us specific directions concerning the details of our lives. ... We need to approach the Father with an expectancy that He will speak.”
Although I attend a more contemporary church with video-directed worship these days, I remember being in my dad’s church, my mom at the piano, and the tiny congregation standing with old hymnals in their hands.
This hymn has been on repeat in my brain: “When we walk with the Lord, in the light of His Word, what a glory He sheds on our way! Let us do His good will, He abides with us still and with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”
Will you hold onto Jesus today?

E-mail Replogle at ruthannr@enidnews.com.