Whatever

I was out for some exercise a couple of days ago and was, as per usual, listening to Joyce Meyer.  She was talking about spending time with the Lord and I have to say I've heard her speak on this many, many times.  But for some reason, this time it resonated with me in a new and fresh way.  I love when the Lord does that!

Joyce was saying how it doesn't matter so much what you do when you are spending time with the Lord, just that you are taking Him into Your day.  Now, this isn't to say you don't need to do good doctrinal study.  You need to be well grounded in the faith.  2 Timothy 3:16-17 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.  We need solid doctrine, and good teaching to know the Gospel, who we are in Christ, and how that should look in our lives.  We need to know how to share the Gospel, pass our faith onto others.  We need Scriptural knowledge to be a minister of the Gospel, sharing Christ with those around us.       

2 Timothy 4:1-5 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

But spending time with the Lord is supposed to be something we want to do and if we are always making it about studying, cramming our heads full of information, then it becomes a "have to" instead of a want to.  It's about balanced learning and sweet fellowship with our Lord.  Think about it this way, if you have a friend who only wants to be serious and talk about all the facts and figures...would you really want to hang out with them much?  Or do you want someone who you can get to know, laugh with, cry with, just be yourself and be real?  

For some reason hearing this the other day just made being with the Lord more real and more comfortable to me.  As I ran that day, I prayed.  I let the Holy Spirit guide my prayers.  And I took time to enjoy the sunshine and sweet smell of summer that the my Father had gifted me with.  My heart and my face just smiled as I connected with heaven.  

I love keeping the communication lines open.  I speak with the Lord often throughout the day.  We don't always have to sit in a quiet place and memorize a chapter a day, spend an hour in prayer...scheduled and regimented.  There is a time and place for those things.  But being with our Savior should be easy, and comfortable.   Yes, we approach Him with honor and reverence, He is God of the universe, Creator and sustainer.  But He is also our Dad.  Our loving Father and Savior who longs to spend time with us.  

Take a walk.  Sit quietly and gaze outside.  Work in the garden or paint a picture.  But do it with God.  Invite Him into whatever You do and just enjoy His Presence.  

Lord, when I think of how You want to spend time with us, how You are even interested in us and want to bless us, it just blows me away, sets me in awe of You.  Lord, let our hearts long for communion with You.  Fill us with the need and desire that only You can fill, Your Presence.  I'm so amazed that we can come to You and "just hang out."  It's ok to just "be with You."  To enjoy sweet fellowship, with no agenda or schedule.   Lord, yes we need to study to show ourselves approved.  But help us to not be so dogmatic and legalistic that we can't just enjoy being with You.  We are the most blessed people on earth to call You Father.  Thank You.  I am just in awe of You.

Just be with Jesus.