Maneuvers - No. 25
Just Be
With Me
Have you ever been so busy that by the time your head hit the pillow, you realized you hadn’t thought once about Jesus the entire day? We (Jennifer and Justin) certainly have.
Days like that happen. We jump from problem to problem, searching for solution after solution, just to keep our heads above water.
We know how that feels! And dealing with problems isn’t wrong. We all have to do it, don’t we?
But we also know that if we have too many of those days—too many days when we don’t take time to rest and be with Jesus—we begin to feel drained. Distant from God. Numb, even. Those are signs that we’ve begun to allow our problems to steal too much of our focus.
Can you relate, friend?
If so, today’s message is for you. Today, Holy Spirit wants to help us see that intimacy with Jesus doesn’t have to be complicated or difficult to obtain.
It can be simple. It is simple. It’s just being with him. And he so wants to be with us.
So if you’re craving some alone time with Jesus, we invite you to join us today. His presence is life, satisfaction, hope, joy, and peace. You can breathe here, friend. Just breathe… and listen.
01.
The Message
“Does it feel like it has been a while ... since we have talked? Time is different for me than for you. I am aware of how you feel time, how you record it. And I know you feel like you have been missing me. That is okay. You turn toward me, and I run to you. I love you so.
“Now that we are together, how about we pause here for a bit? There is a lot on your mind—many questions to work through, problems to solve. But those will all be figured out soon enough, child. Do not misplace your attention; do not become fixated on the things you have yet to control. Rather, enjoy the ease of simply being with me. Your attention on me, the gaze of your heart fixed on me, gives you a different perspective on all the challenges you face.
“Your biggest problem is that you often focus on your challenges first and then turn to me. What if you kept your attention on me first and then viewed your problems after? Would they look the same? Feel the same? Would the weight be just as great? The answer is no. The weight of them would be so, so small.
“I don’t even want you to attend to your problems now. You won’t be ignoring them forever, don’t worry. But your peace begins with me, with a focus on me, with attention to me, with a surrendering into my presence. Can you do that now son … daughter? Will you drop the focus on the things you feel need to get done and just lean against me for a while?
“Lean into me now.
“Just lean.
“And wait here.
“Take a deep breath.
“Wait here.
“Take another.
“Pause...
“That’s it.
“Here, with me, there will be things I want to tell you—words to guide you, gifts to give you, wisdom to impart to you. For I see the way—your whole story, from beginning to end and beyond. And what I see will astound you. How I see you ... and me ... will help you see deeper, through the problems and beyond the problems. And you will then have solutions to your problems. For I am Lord of all. And I love you. Nothing is too big for me.”
02.
Listen
God’s Spirit is leaning in to receive you. Can you feel him? Will you, in return, lean in to him? Take a moment to rest here… And now, as your mind and heart are quiet, write down your response to Holy Spirit’s words.
03.
Think
“God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction” (Psalm 23:1-3, MSG).
1. What makes it difficult to find time to rest in God’s presence? What problems, obstacles, or tasks are consuming your time and mental energy?
2. What’s causing you to feel like you have to control these situations? What fears are lurking behind your desire to fix these problems by yourself? Let’s write these down.
3. What Scripture verses speak directly to those fears you just listed? Let’s write these down, too.
04.
Trust
Children, especially young children, crave quality time with their parents. Studies show they even depend on it as they face new challenges and absorb new information.
Spending time with parents helps children feel secure, wanted, and loved as they grow up and discover who they’re meant to be.
We may not be kids anymore. But when it comes to this, we’re not that different, are we?
Do you find yourself longing for time with our heavenly Father? Do you crave to hear him tell you how deeply he loves you, how proud he is of you, how he’s for you no matter what?
There’s a reason you feel that way. Resting in Jesus’ strong presence equips us as we grow and mature spiritually. And that’s what we’re made for.
Holy Spirit is inviting us into that quality time with him. The question is, will we respond to his invitation?
“Let us do our best to go into that place of rest, too, being careful not to disobey God as the children of Israel did, thus failing to get in” (Hebrews 4:11, TLB).
The first time we entered that rest was when we trusted in Jesus to save us. But now, every day, we have the opportunity to remain in that place of rest, trusting him for everything we need and knowing he will give it to us.
So today, let’s make room to rest with Jesus. If we can set aside a half-hour, then great. But even if it’s just five minutes, let’s give that time to him.
Are you alone? Just you and God? Good, let’s take a deep breath. And another one, deeper this time. As you exhale, let yourself sink deeper into Jesus’ love surrounding you.
And now… let’s pray.
05.
Pray
Heavenly Father, no matter where I go, you’re with me. No matter how busy I get or how distracted I become, you’re always ready and eager to spend time with me.
I want that time with you, Father. I crave it. You have so much to show me, and I do want to see it. Fill me and equip me, here as I’m resting in your presence. Help me let go of my need for control and simply let your presence carry me. Show me how to choose rest over control. It’s so hard sometimes.
You are enough for me, all the time, in every way. Always enough. I just want more of you, so draw me closer.
In your Son’s precious name, amen.
Waving the banner with you,
