Walking with God

I just started reading the book Walking with God by John Eldridge. I think each day I'll share an excerpt or something meaningful I got out of it, so someone else can get something out of it too : )

The introduction says 'It is our deepest need, as human beings, to learn to live intimately with God. It is what we were made for.' He talks about Adam and Eve before the fall and says whatever they had, is what we were meant to have too. And that what they enjoyed above all else, is they walked with God. They talked with Him, and He with them.

And he believes we can have that same communion with God. And I do too! I've come to learn when I am truly seeking God, I feel his presence, there is a warmth in my heart.

A very recent real example for me is Sunday afternoon I finally set time aside to do that after a tired, distracted couple of weeks. It was kinda cloudy outside, and dark inside, and I lit a couple candles and made some tea and got my bible and another book by beth moore and got cozy at my kitchen table, prayed and spent some time seeking God and reading his word.

And God so spoke to my heart. I ended up at 1 Chronicles 28:9-10. This is where King David is giving advice to his son Solomon, who is about to take over the throne, and take on the task of building God's temple. And Beth Moore talked about how this is good advice for anyone, not just Solomon, on being successful at God's plans for your life. (I was thinking of my artwork)

I had been reading more of the passage, but when I got to this part, it was just different. It just stood out and spoke so clearly to me. Especially these specific words:

Acknowledge God. Serve Him with wholehearted devotion and a willing mind. Seek him, be strong, and do the work!

And even more, from those words, 'wholehearted devotion' and 'do the work' stood out.

Do the work stood out because I am a procrastinator. I need to just do the work, and in combination with wholehearted devotion, I know God will use me to do amazing things, because it won't be all about me, it will be about Him.

Wholehearted devotion.

That is what God asks us of us. And though it can sound a bit much, or sound like he is egotistical, it is what brings us joy! When I am wholeheartedly devoted to Him, I have such warmth, joy, peace, in my heart! And the Beth Moore book talked about how our natural instinct is NOT to be wholly devoted to God. It is not to love him above all things. But we can pray for God to change our hearts.  She cited Deuteronomy 30:6, here is a version from the message, a more everyday interpretation of the bible:

God, your God, will cut away the thick calluses on your heart and your children's hearts, freeing you to love God, your God, with your WHOLE heart and soul [which is the greatest commandment] and live, really live.

Live. Really live!!

I sincerely prayed then for God to change my heart. To make my heart desire to love Him with wholehearted devotion come more naturally. And all week I have just had such a warm, loving feeling in my chest. All week. Its been such a blessing. There have been entire years where I didn't have one single day that felt as beautiful as the last 4 have. And I know without spending time with Him, it will fade. But I know with spending time with Him, it doesn't have to! He is always available, always waiting.

He is so good and He is available to us all.

Jeremiah 29:13 - you will seek me and find me, when you seek me with ALL your heart.

And if you don't have the desire to seek Him with all of your heart, ask for it. : )

(this post ended up being more of a regular post than about the book, but I will share more from the book as I read it!)