“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with ALL your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (emphasis added)
On this beautiful, crisp morning, I ventured out for my walk. Mornings are my sacred time with God and with nature—a time for gratitude, quiet reflection, and pressing my prayers closer to His throne.
Over the past few days, I have found myself watching the Canadian geese as they pass overhead, calling to one another and flying faithfully in their familiar “V” formation. It always amazes me how they know where to go and how to fly together. They do not question it. It is instinct—carefully placed within them by their Creator.
As I watched them move across the sky, my thoughts lifted heavenward, and Scripture began to take shape in my heart.
“Oh Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up. You understand my thoughts from afar. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.”
Psalm 139:1-3
God knows me—and still loves me. He still wants me. He still calls my name. Despite my feelings. Despite my backsliding. Despite my rebellion.
The King of the universe sees me, and I am not invisible.
And how do I respond to such a call? Do I find myself too busy? Do I feel He is asking too much? Is my desire to say yes—but only if I can still hold the reins?
Yet He remains patient. He is kind. He is loving. He continues to knock gently at the door of my heart. Each time I fall down, He picks me up, dusts me off and sets my feet back on the right path (if I allow Him).
When I am surrounded by nature, I see His beautiful handiwork everywhere. When all grows quiet, I hear His still small voice, inviting me closer.
He asks me to come apart from the noise and clamor of the world, to sit a while. To rest and to simply be with Him.
I am amazed by this truth—the King of the universe desires a relationship with me!! God‘s Word reminds me:
“How precious also are Your thoughts to me, oh God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.”
Psalm 139:17-18
If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.”
He seeks us and wants an intimate relationship with you and me. He is inviting us to come apart, and to know Him, to walk with Him, and to rest in the assurance that we are fully known and deeply loved.
Call to Action
Life in this world can be very distracting. It is too easy to focus on the world and become more involved with it rather than with our Creator. Make a conscious effort every day to turn off the TV, phone, and/or radio, and just take some time to be still. Talk to God about what’s on your heart and talk to Him as you would to a true friend. Read all of Psalm 139:1-24.
Unless noted otherwise, scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
