The Lord has been showing me something very precious recently: an invitation. An invitation to walk closely with Him; to be in His presence.
It’s not about activities. It’s not about being busy. It’s knowing Him.
I serve in full-time ministry. It’s busy. And there are so many blessings in my life. But they are not the greatest blessing. The greatest blessing is knowing Him.
And I’ve sensed it often, lately: the gentle call- something like this: Come and be with Me. Make space to get to know Me. Put Me first, and everything else will fall into place.
It’s the most beautiful, wonderful invitation.
To know the Lord.
I listened to a message recently. I knew it was from the Lord. In my Quiet Times, I had been going through Revelation, and the Lord had spoken to me from His letter to the church in Ephesus:
‘Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.’ Revelation 2:4
It was very gentle; not even really a rebuke. Just more of a reminder of what is really important.
Have I lost my first love?
Then I found this sermon, which I really recommend listening to:
https://www.preachtheword.com/sermon/misc0145-first-love.shtml
It’s not first about ministry. It’s about my heart.
Is my first priority to know Jesus; to be with Him?
Then will I make time for that? Say no to other things so can I sit at His feet, like Mary did? (see Luke 10:39-42)
Only one thing was what was really needed.
Sitting at Jesus’ feet.
And, yes, everything else will flow from that! I passionately believe that the best way to get any ministry done is to come away with Jesus first. It doesn’t mean we never serve. It doesn’t we never love people or spend time with them. And I may not have the balance right in my life.
But I know that what He wants from me, first, is just me. My love.
And that means making time for Him. Carving out time to be with Him.
I heard Dr K.P. Yohannan speaking recently about his mum: his mum whose prayers for her son led to him doing incredible things for the Kingdom, founding the organisation GFA World ( http://www.gfauk.org ). He said his mum was like a person in another world, carrying a secret joy. Every morning, she got up early to spend hours with Jesus. And this was her favourite verse:
‘Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.’ Psalm 73:25
In many ways, her life was quiet; hidden. But she carved out time for Jesus, she let Him have her heart and she prayed.
And God used her prayers to do something amazing… to birth a ministry… something that is touching the world in astounding ways.
You can read more about it here: http://www.gfauk.org .
She was a woman who made time to just be with Jesus.
It’s first about knowing Him. It’s not about ministry or business. It’s about Jesus.
It’s like He is saying, “Come away and know Me.”
And it’s a good reminder at Christmas. He is Immanuel. He is God. With us.
He wants to be with us.
The greatest Gift ever given.
And, for all who surrender to Him, turn from sin, receive His free forgiveness (which we can’t earn), give Him our hearts and follow Him as Lord, He is ours.
23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Matthew 1:23
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Caroline Abblitt 