Experiencing God's Presence #35

Experiencing God's Presence #35

The Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing.

John 5:20

As Jesus continues to explain His modus operandi for doing the Father’s will, He further ties it to their relationship. This is no read-it-then-do-it approach. It’s the outflow of intimacy between Him and the Father. Jesus is able to do what He sees His Father doing because the Father loves the Son and shows Him what He is doing. Though many Christians pursue a Master-servant relationship with the Lord, that isn’t what Jesus models for us. And that isn’t the kind of relationship that cultivates a sense of His Presence.

Read the Bible with this question in mind: “What’s on your heart, Lord?” Intimacy and a sense of Presence develop in that kind of approach. Relationships are about spending time with someone—not in order to hear instructions but to get to know likes and dislikes and priorities and values. The point is for our hearts to grow together with God’s. When we approach God on those terms—with a genuine interest in knowing Him—we begin to hear His voice and sense His Presence. He shows us what He is doing. Then we, like Jesus, can do what we see the Father doing.

What’s your agenda when you come to God? Is it only to get instructions so you can do the right things? Or is it to soak in His Presence, cultivate intimacy, and absorb His heart’s desires? One approach develops a strong Master-servant relationship, and the other develops a strong Father-child or Friend-friend relationship. According to Jesus’ example, God’s ultimate goal for us is the latter. And that’s how we more deeply experience Him.

Above all else, Father, I want to experience Your love. And I want everything else—every act of service, every decision about priorities, every relationship—to flow out of that love.