I have long been inspired by Brother Lawrence, the 17th-century monk whose writings, compiled in The Practice of the Presence of God, demonstrate the kind of joyous living that is possible if we cultivate a posture of attentiveness to God’s companionship and direction in our everyday activities. Though he was never considered an important person during his lifetime, Lawrence encountered Christ’s real presence throughout the day, in tasks as mundane as washing the dishes.
In my own life, I have experienced periods when God’s presence has been intensely palpable. At times, the Holy Spirit has seemed just as tangibly real as any other person in my life – yes, and somehow realer! Then again, there have been other times when I have not experienced God as present at all, no matter how good my conscious intentions. Most of my life is spent in the space between these two extremes. In general, my awareness of Christ’s presence seems related to my moment-by-moment choice to stay attentive to his still, small voice.
Some days are more challenging than others. I often wake up with half a dozen projects buzzing in my head. My mind flits from task to task, fixated on due dates and the steps between the present moment and the future that I am working for. Yet almost always, if I choose to pay attention, I can hear a voice inviting me deeper. Paying attention to my breath, practicing awareness of my body and my surroundings, God reveals an open space where I can rest in him.
It always amazes me how life simply falls into place when I do choose to accept the invitation to rest in his green pastures. Worries fade, stress falls away, and deadlines somehow still get met – the ones that really needed to get met, anyway. This is the power of Christ’s easy yoke, when I yield to it.
- How have you experienced Christ’s presence breaking into the midst of your daily routines?
- Where does the Holy Spirit create space for rest, genuine depth and power in your life?
- Are there ways that you could choose to become more intentional in practicing of the presence of God?
I took up a daily meditation practice for this reason. I am quite prone to over-stimulation/distraction/lack of attention and I’ve found that daily meditation (just simple, mind-stopping, “no thoughts” meditation) really helps to slow down my mind enough to be ABLE to practice the presence of God. I’m working up to doing 20 min a day. I think of it as “prayer preparation.”
Pamela
Scripture does not support “no thoughts” meditation. That is an eastern religion corruption that has entered Christianity. Before I was saved more than 40 years ago, I got involved in Transcendental Meditation. It worked, but it stole something from me. Christian meditation is Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Yes, you will have a type of peace that is enjoyable meditating your way, it even helped my ADHD and made me more productive. BUT, it meditating on scriptures or on Him or His kingdom, produces far better results.
Google eastern meditation, and you will discover how much their method promotes “no thoughts”
i really appreciated this post. I have an “unplugged” rule that says no email/internet until a.m. I have ADHD and while I hate structure, i have learned i must have some structure or i aimlessly wander through the days. I know there is no rule this time must be in the morning, i know for me, it is important. Today i blew off my own “rule” and basically my day was pretty unproductive. I am retired, but caring for my father in my home and time “away” is really important to me.