Be Near Me...

I use the same phrase alot

When I pray:

"Father, be near me today."

Countless Scriptures testify

That You are ever with me,*

So why am I praying for

That which You've already provided?

The Lord is not a liar.

His promises are irrevocable.**

So what, exactly, do I mean?

It's more like this:

"Lord,

I know that You are with me.

I know that I cannot be separated

From the love of Christ.***

When I ask You to be near me,

What I mean is,

Can't you be near me

The way You were with Israel

When you led them out of Egypt?

Can't you lead me as a cloud by day,

And a pillar of fire by night?

Can't you shine one, lonely

Ray of Shechinah Glory on me

So that I could be

Fully consumed by Your Spirit?

Can't you make Your Presence so tangible,
So real,
That I could reach out
And touch You?...

That I could feel You

Holding me?...

I know that You can...

I wish that You would!"

I feel a gentle, Cosmic laugh.

How like a child I sound!

The answer creeps upon me

As I write:

"Even now,

I am preparing you

To be a vessel

Consecrated to Me.

I, the Potter,

Dip you in water,

Mold you with My Hands,

Remake and reshape you

As I deem fitting.

For now,

Be content to see Me

In the beauty of this world,

Nature and creatures,

And humankind.

Speak with Me.

Confide in Me.

Pray to Me.

Trust Me.

Day by day,

Learn from Me,

And I will slowly reveal

Myself to you.

It cannot happen at once.

You must become prepared for it.

I AM is My Holy Name!****

That's the present tense.

That's NOW.

I sustain you,

Give you breath and life

This very moment.

I have called you.

Have faith,

And receive the blessings

That flow thereof."

I know it's true.

Although I often ache

For a palpable encounter with You,

Such an encounter would

Kill me.

Ah Lord,

I am like the father who cried aloud,

"I believe; help my unbelief!"*****

"Father? Abba? You near?"

Again, the Cosmic laugh.

"I AM."

"Okay."

Just checking...

*Joshua 1:5b

**Genesis 28:15, Titus 1:1-3

*** Romans 8:34-36

****God declares Himself to be I AM in Exodus 3:14.

*****Mark 9:14-29 for the story in context