{"id":46681,"date":"2023-10-16T08:35:12","date_gmt":"2023-10-16T13:35:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mbcpathway.com\/?p=46681"},"modified":"2023-10-16T08:35:12","modified_gmt":"2023-10-16T13:35:12","slug":"making-space-to-know-god-better","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mbcpathway.com\/2023\/10\/16\/making-space-to-know-god-better\/","title":{"rendered":"Making space to know God better"},"content":{"rendered":"

That trash can, ya\u2019ll. I\u2019m sure I can do it. I\u2019m always absolutely sure I can shove one more thing in there. It doesn\u2019t matter that it\u2019s already overflowing, or that I have to quick-catch some flyaway plastic wrap and wrangle an escaping tea bag resting on some soggy junk mail. I win if I can squeeze in one more thing. <\/span><\/p>\n

I guess the big question is: how many \u201cone more things\u201d can I shove in? My personal kitchen trash can is ever the clown car of wastebaskets. When it comes to squeezing in that one more thing, I\u2019m always sure I can. I can? Get it? Trash can? Never mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

For the record, I\u2019m not saying I ever stick a foot in there to stomp that garbage down. I\u2019m not saying it because it might make me look like I\u2019m overstepping. And over-stomping. At this moment, I\u2019m trying to ignore the fact that when I overstep and over-stomp and \u201cwin\u201d at the \u201cone more thing\u201d game, what I actually win is a delay. I get to delay the trip to the outside dumpster or the burn pile or whatever. Delay it for\u2026probably like fifteen minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, I want those minutes. People are always asking about flying cars. That\u2019s not the revolutionary invention I\u2019m waiting for. Give me a self-emptying trashcan, please and thank you. If I want to fly, I\u2019ll just get on a plane.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ruminating on this. Recycling on that. Composting the other thing. Making space for trash? Sure, that can be a need. But there\u2019s a vastly different kind of need for making a vastly different kind of space. It\u2019s making head space and heart space. Life space, really. No clowning around here. We all have a deep need to create quiet space to contemplate our Father.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s in that God-seeking space we find purpose. We find the goodness of God. We find hope. \u201cThe Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the person who seeks him\u201d (Lamentations 3:25 CSB). David wrote, \u201cRest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from him\u201d (Psalm 62:5 CSB). The Amplified expands on it. \u201cFor God alone my soul waits in silence and quietly submits to Him, For my hope is from Him\u201d (AMP). <\/span><\/p>\n

Our God has promised His presence, and He\u2019s promised to work in us. \u201cFor it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose\u201d (Philippians 2:13 CSB). Why would we ever want to let any ol\u2019 garbage get in the way of that? <\/span><\/p>\n

Getting rid of any garbage wastes of time, trading that space for God moments, often involves making a choice. We can choose to create space in a day\u2014in our minds and moods and hearts and psyches\u2014to consider what the Father is doing, and what He wants to do in and through us.<\/span><\/p>\n

Father, teach us how to create that quiet head-and-heart-space to know You more. In that space, influence us, occupy every thought, transform us to be more like You in how we think and respond and serve and love. Let us become more aware of and in tune with Your will and Your calling. Guide our ever step.<\/span><\/p>\n

Every step. Every stomp. I don\u2019t want to waste a minute. Or fifteen. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Our God has promised His presence, and He\u2019s promised to work in us. \u201cFor it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose\u201d (Philippians 2:13 CSB). 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