He's waiting

A while back the Lord spoke a clear instruction to me.  He told me in no uncertain terms that I was to "shut out" everything and "shut in" with Him.  I had heard of people doing this before, but had never actually done it myself.  I argued with Him for a bit.  "Uh, God, do you remember that I have a 10 year old and a 11 month old? Do you remember that I am a wife? Surely you haven't forgotten that I am a Pastors wife? I have so much that has to be done!  I could NEVER find time to make this work."  Well, when your steps are ordered of the Lord He will speak past all your excuses and help you find a way.

After a few days of me going back and forth with this I remembered that in about two weeks Elaina would be going to Alabama for 3 weeks to spend time with her grandparents.  Robin was going to be flying her down on a Thursday and coming back late on a Saturday night.  Ok, well that takes care of two of my "obstacles" LOL!  "Now God you know that there is no way that I can do this with Addyson around."   Well, wouldn't you know that Sis. Delmy Deras chose the next Sunday to ask me when Addyson could come spend the night with them.  He effectively removed all of my excuses.  He loves me so much.

So with all excuses removed, I began to think about and plan my '"shut in".  I inquired of a couple of people that I knew had done this sort of thing before as to how to get the most out of it.  The closer it got to the time, the more excited I became.  Afterall, I had heard stories of people being shut in and seeing angels, hearing the audible voice of God, and seeing the Shekinah Glory of God hover in the room with them.  WOW!  I couldn't wait.  I decided to do a fruit, veggies and water only fast for the three days.

So, with my groceries bought, my Bible and favorite devotional books nearby, and my praise and worship music in my playlist I began my special "shut in" time with Jesus.  I had some incredible time of prayer and praise.  I received divine revelation from Him through a book that I was reading about forgiveness.  I was really enjoying myself.  However, I kept looking for the angels.  Where was the Shekinah Glory?  The morning of the second day I was in prayer and Jesus spoke to my spirit and said "this is a time for me to gently commune with you.  No Angles, no Shekinah Glory Cloud, no thunderous rumblings from the Throne.  Just a time for me to pour refreshing back into your spirit."

You see, I had been through an 18 month long spiritual battle that was destroying some people and relationships that were very dear to me.  In the middle of that we were blessed with our precious Addyson.  The demands of this beautiful blessing  were wearing me down.  However, life goes on.  I just kept going on.  Kept battling.  Kept waking at night to feed.  Kept praying.  Kept schooling Elaina.  Kept loving my husband.  Kept preparing for Sunday and Wednesday.  Kept on, Kept on, Kept on.............

I didn't realize how depleted my spirit was. OH, I can hear some say," but you were praying, you were reading your Bible, you were at church".  YES, even though I had been praying reading my Bible and going to church.  I was weary.  I was so incredibly busy that I had neglected the intimate side of my relationship with my Jesus.  I was praying because I knew I should, but I wasn't communing with my Saviour.  I was reading the Word, but I wasn't eating it as The Bread of Life.
                                                           
From the moment that He spoke to me His intentions for my special time with Him, I can't even put into words the peace that filled me.  No spa, or masseuse could have calmed and relaxed me like Jesus did.  Those three days will forever be a special memory and landmark in my life.

Daniel 7:25 says that in the end time that the enemy will "wear our the saints".  We are seeing that transpire.  I see it on some of your faces on Sunday during worship, at Wednesday night during the Bible study lesson, and at prayer meeting on Monday night.  Your weary.  I urge you to get back to your intimate relationship with your precious Jesus.  Do whatever you have to do to remove distractions. I know, I know you have to go to work, you have to take care of the kids, you have to fix supper for the family, you have laundry to do, you have errands to run, you have to......, you have to..... you have to..... Get purposeful in MAKING  time for Jesus.  Afterall, He is the one who gave you the time that you have.  I began to do take inventory of my time and ask Jesus to show me what was not in His will for my life.  Girls, be careful what you ask for! LOL! It took some self discipline and grit, but I eliminated some things from my schedule.  WOW! What liberty there is in knowing that the enemy has fewer tools to use to wear me out! Ha! Take that devil!

Jesus is calling you to a deeper walk with Him. Don't let the cares of life keep you from that.  Those cares that you can't seem to get away from will drain you of more than you have to give.  Jesus longs to share incredible insights with you and he yearns to hear your heart.  Will you make a way?
                                                             
He's waiting.

Blessings,

Gwen