Practice His Presence

Wednesday night I went to youth and worship was absolutely incredible. The alter call lasted longer than it normally does and while I was worshipping and praying I felt like God gave me a picture in my head of what this process I am in looks like.  

It was pitch black and I could see the shadow of myself. Then as I kept looking I saw a light, which was Jesus, and He had a chisel in His hands.  He would chisel away at different pieces of me, but once He moved to a different part of me that piece that was chiseled away would come back. Then my shadow lifted both arms and just began to worship. Immediately once that happened I began to glow and every imperfection was covered. 

I didn't understand what it meant but I couldn't get it out of my head.  

Yesterday, me and my friend Lexi were just talking about the body of Christ and about character and as our conversation progressed to different things she said something and all of a sudden everything I saw clicked. We began to discuss personality and how we should never justify our personality with the excuse of "it's just the way we are," or "it's how we were made." We talked about how crazy it is that we can pray and pray to be patient or more gentle and we start to become that and then out of nowhere we get impatient or say something rude. It's like we view ourselves and our relationship with Christ as a stepping ladder. Once we mess up we take a step down. How exhausting. She mentioned that we are nothing outside of Christ and to practice His presence.  

It was around this time that the wheels in my head were turning and I put it all together. Christ never said that we would die to our flesh once and then bam,we would never deal with that issue or character flaw again. No, He said to die to our flesh daily! 

[Luke 9:23] 

"And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."

Apart from Christ I am wicked, rude, and my personality, in all honesty, sucks. In the picture I saw, Christ was working on areas in me, and maybe for a little bit I was doing good, but the minute he left that area my flesh took over again. It was only when I praised Him and invited His presence to consume me that every part of me became beautiful. 

So, in the words of my lovely friend, practice His presence. When you begin to allow your personality to dictate how you treat people, practice His presence. When you are struggling with your character, practice His presence.  When you start to view your walk with God as a ladder where you can never reach the top, practice His presence. I am nothing but filthy rags without Him. But, when I welcome His presence freely and when my attitude stays one of worship, His glory and grace covers even the ugliest of places. 

[Genesis 17:1 AMP]

"When Abram was ninety-nine years old, The Lord appeared to him and said, I am the Almighty God; walk and live habitually before Me and be perfect (blameless, wholehearted, complete). 

Practice His Presence!