Son-Bathing

Summer is gradually winding to an end, and for me it’ll soon be the start of a new academic year. I’ve throughly enjoyed my summer break – relaxing in the garden, escaping for a holiday in Margate and making the most of the sunshine!
All of these activities are a picture of what soaking in the presence of God is like. When we sit out in the sunshine we’re resting, taking the goodness of the sun into our bodies, just like when we are still before God, allowing the Holy Spirit to wash over us.

Although God’s presence is always constant, I know at times it can be difficult to really ‘feel’ Him. Sometimes we can’t sense God because there’s too much of everything else going on. Too much noise. Too much traffic. Too much confusion. Too many thoughts running rampant in our minds. Too much anxiety. These are all symptoms of when we do not dwell in the presence of God enough. We need to regularly find a quiet place to be by ourselves, where we can switch off from outside distractions and spend some quality time really tuning into God. You could take a walk, listen to some instrumental worship, or just ‘be still’ in a way that suits you. Something I do, which helps me to centre my mind on God, is to focus on my breathing.

Try it. Exhale the distracting thoughts. Inhale a desire to sense His presence. Exhale your pre-occupation with self. Inhale a desire to know Him more completely. Exhale the worries of the moment. Inhale His peace. When you create a calm, distraction-free zone, with your attention fully on God, you will begin to feel more of His presence.

“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him.”

Psalm 37:7

“Be still and know that I am God.”

Psalm 46:10

“Come near to God and he will come near to you.”

James 4:8

It’s all about taking the focus off ourselves, and enabling God to move how He wants to. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, NIV). When we spend time with Him, we find a place of rest. This doesn’t mean we are resting with our feet up, but we are resting in His presence with the knowledge that everything is in His hands, so therefore we have no need to feel weighed down or burdened.

As I mentioned before, spending time dwelling in God’s presence needs to be something we do often. We need to spend time each day, bathing in His presence, listening to Him, and sensing the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When we experience that closeness with God, just like sun-bathing, we soak up all His attributes, the fruits of the spirit, that nurtures our souls. The Holy Spirit will continuly fill you, and each time, transform your walk and relationship with God for the better.

“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence”

Psalm 16:11

“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.”

2 Corinthians 4:16

In our hectic, non-stop society it’s sometimes hard to find a minute to spare, but if I’m honest I probably have more spare time than I realise that I use to focus on myself, i.e.) social media, watching TV, reading – that I could invest more in resting in the presence of God, which would be so much more worthwhile.

So I challenge you this week to take some real time to dwell in the presence of God, and I can assure you, you’ll feel so amazing from doing so! Just like lounging out with the sunshine on your face, soaking in the presence of God is immensely rejuvenating!

God Bless! 🙂