Going Deeper

I have been captured recently by a fascinating book entitled Into the Depths of God by Calvin Miller. One of the opening comments Miller makes in Chapter One is that "Christians are to be defined as people who are hungry for God." Just as Psalm 42:1 says, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God" (NIV), believers today must rekindle a passion to know the Lord better through time spent alone in His presence.

This time alone with God has been a great blessing to me, for in the quietness of listening, He speaks in ways that brings everything into right perspective. Suddenly, things that seemed so important to me become less important when God gives His insight on what should be done. Concerns, issues, challenges - all the things that seem to weigh on people's minds - become small compared to the greatness of the One whom we seek. In the depths of His presence there is nothing that cannot be sorted out!

And yet, time with God cannot be hurried. How it must grieve Him when we attempt to rush in and out of His presence, missing the opportunity to spend quality time with Him. In fact, it is probably fair to say that all clocks and watches should be laid aside at the gates of God's throne room. For to truly meet Him - to really find Him - is to meet Him on His terms. As Miller says in his book, "To run in and out of the presence of royalty or to try to set limits on our converstaion is to forget who we are and to whom we are talking." I am learning to listen more deeply, for it is here that we find ourselves knowing that "The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God" (1 Cor. 2:10, NIV).

How we need churches which are full of people who are willing to go deeper!