I’ve been practicing a new rhythm with God. I set aside time on my calendar when my house is quiet, and I sit in silence. My Bible and journal are nearby, but I just sit and breathe. I open my hands palms up and open my heart. I ask Him to search ….

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

I invite Jesus to join me, and to lead me where He wants me to ponder, repent, or just listen. I continue to sit in silence and wait. Sometimes I get antsy. Other times I sit and admire creation out the window. I’d like to say He gives me divine revelation each time, but I can say, more times than not, the Holy Spirit prompts me with an area to confess, an intentional action to do, and/or a person to pray for.

As I was asking the Lord to guide me about this month’s word “intimacy,” I felt Jesus reveal the idea that we all need to withdraw from the busy, the noise, and distractions of the world…
To engage in prayer.
To be Still.
To be Silent.
To Listen.

The Lord is directing me to point the lonely to Him, so they can be filled to overflowing, as only He can do. I understand God saying there is no exception, that we are all lonely in the isolation of the world, and that we need to seek intimacy with Him.

Over the years, friends or my kids have asked, “Why doesn’t God speak to me?” My answer is this… He does. But first, you need to know His voice. Like a new parent cooing to their baby, the baby recognizes that voice from in the womb. We were created by the Lord. We recognize His voice (John 10:27), but lack of time and distractions, or deliberately pushing Him away have made the memory fainter and fainter.

To hear His voice, we first need to know what it will say. Since God is the same “yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8), we can read His words in scripture. An easy place to start is that we know “God is Love “(1 John 4:8) and the many attributes of Love: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).

That’s just the tip of the iceberg of who our Heavenly Father is, but for a moment, just pause and imagine a person who is your protector, worthy of your trust, patient and kind even as you continue to mess up, plus He never, ever, not once fails!

What an amazing Savior. Why aren’t we prioritizing hours and days to spend with Him? Fortunately, as mentioned above, He doesn’t keep a record of wrongs. So, go seek Him. His voice may start as a whisper, but it is recognizable even in an earthquake (1 Kings 19:11-13).

In seeking intimacy with God, be ready for a journey of spiritual renewal. Regardless of how far you have wandered or are separated from God, He promises a fresh beginning. Welcome Him in and Jesus will do the work. He is our Transformer. Our hearts will be refined.
The following verses share that we need to love God with all of our being:

“You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

“The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love Him with all your heart, and with all your soul, and live” (Deuteronomy 30:6).

It is amazing the shift I experience as I sit in this new rhythm. It’s the daily bread He promises to feed my spirit and soul. Why have I let myself get depleted instead of nourished? Yet, once I am filled with God’s love, I have an abundance to spread. Think of it this way, time spent with God fills me with His unconditional love. I am then able to give my love to my daughter, who then shares her love with friends, who share that love with other friends. It’s amazing and goes on and on as long as I generously pass it along. If this is appealing to you, try it for yourself. And please don’t be the stingy person who stops the flow of love. Please don’t withhold love from others. By hoarding love, you don’t save it for later. Trust me, you are actually filled to the abundance by letting God’s love continually flow through you.

In the past month of setting aside time for this new rhythm with God, I’ve heard “put into action and share love” with my friends, to build relational capital with a family member, and give forgiveness and blessings to an acquaintance.

All of this is possible because of Jesus defeating death. Remember the tearing of the temple curtain? (Matthew 27:51-55). We have direct access to the Lord. No longer do we need to wait for a Rabbi, Priest, or holy person to hear our requests or offer us penance. We are offered a direct line to God. I’ve known this since I met Jesus in high school. Yet, sometimes I forget I have this special offering, and I need to take advantage of this access more often. Sitting with Him in solitude is the start. I am also seeking His Holy Presence throughout the day, asking what He would ask me to say or pray.

As we leave Valentine’s Day behind, don’t miss out on God’s love that is available for you. Try my quiet time experience as you head into Lent and the Resurrection. I’ll be praying that you start re-identifying God’s whisper, for your heart to be longing for more time with Him, and more nourishment through His words.

Please pray with me – Lord, Thank You for filling all Your children with the Holy Presence that lives inside of us. Let it nudge me toward Your Word in scripture and fulfill me, as only Your daily bread can. I’m desperate for more time with You, I am lost without You. I love You. Amen.