Drawing Near
The LORD appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” Jeremiah 31:3 (NKJV)
What a wonderful time of the year! This is my favorite season and holiday. We are busy at school making ‘parent surprises’ (gifts) and the kids are already showing signs of Santa fever. How exciting! Not really. They have shorter attention spans, hyped attitudes, and louder voices. Yikes! How will I survive the next few weeks? Well, I can start by focusing and extending my quiet time each morning. My desire is to add lovingkindness and joy to these young lives. I don’t want them to remember some crabby, tired, old teacher. Sarah Young (Jesus Listens for Advent and Christmas) has a powerful prayer for all of us this season.
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My Loving Lord,
In the midst of this busy season, You continually invite me to draw near. I love to hear You whispering in my heart, “Come to Me, beloved. I have loved you with an everlasting Love. I have drawn you with lovingkindness.” I respond to Your beautiful invitation by being still in Your Presence—relaxing and fixing my thoughts on You. And I meditate on the glorious truth that You are continually with me. This rock-solid reality provides a firm foundation for my life.
The world I inhabit is constantly in flux—I can find no solid ground here. So I desperately need to stay aware of You as I go about my day. I know I won’t be able to do this perfectly, but I can return to You time after time, praying, “Jesus keep me aware of Your loving Presence.” I like to let this prayer continually echo in my heart and mind—drawing me back to You when my thoughts start to wander away.
I’ve found that the more of You I have in my life through living close to You, the more joyful I am. This blesses not only me but others—as Your Joy flows through me to them.
In Your Blessed Name, Jesus,
AMEN