One of the greatest gifts we can give during this season is the dignity of meeting someone without fanfare, just taking the time to be present, and finding delight in that moment together.
That doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a party, find joy in giving and receiving gifts, and delight in the presence of the many. It is to say, that, even in those settings, often, the most satisfying moments are not the party itself, but the conversations that occur with the one in the midst of the party.
Jesus enjoyed a party… (Mk 2:15; Lu 5:29-30; Jo 2:1-12)
But, just as often, we see that Jesus went away to be alone with His Father - in the secret. In fact, it would seem, that so secret was Jesus' prayer life, and yet so impactful, that His disciples had to ask Him to teach them to pray.
Where it is that God meets me, is in the secret place, in the quiet, it is there where makes His presence known when He whispers…
1Kings 19:11-13 “11The Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by. Then a great and powerful wind tore the mounts apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Ps 46:10 in the midst of the turmoil… “Be still and know that I am God…”
Ps 139:1-8 in the secret place…
This is where He blesses (each one of) us, with His presence - in the most personal and impactful way.
If this is how God meets us…
How are we to go about, His business? It is recognizing that we are to make every effort to choose what is best over what is good, what is most important over what is important - first, Him and His presence, engaging with Him throughout our day, and then, what we do, those good works He has for us - but then to see that it is not just what we do, but also the way we do what we do.
1Cor 13:1-3 that everything we do is with love
1Pe 3:18 “...with gentleness and respect…”
Galatians 6:1-10 “...to restore people gently…, to carry another’s burdens…, to act humbly…, not wearying in doing good… but doing good to all people, especially the brotherhood.”
So, let’s ask this question: Where does God meet me? Is it not in the quietness of my mind, the stillness of my heart, the sensitivity of my conscience, in the pleasure and satisfaction of my soul and spirit?
It is so often in the quiet that I find God and the gift of His peace, the whisper of His voice, feel the gentle touch of His hand, that I sense the smile of His pleasure and delight.
Even in the midst of worship, surrounded by God’s people, it is in the recesses of my heart that I experience the joy of His presence.
This is dignity, this is the way of God. It is why when we are going a mile-a-minute we lose touch with everything and everyone, including God, and, I even lose myself, and, what is most important to me - peace, quiet satisfaction, real and true presence with those I love and hold dear.
And often, if my life is constantly moving at breakneck speed, I may not even know or realize what I am missing! It is in the anxious and worried mind, the busied, hurried heart that I find I miss, everything. Especially, being able to be conscious of others and their needs, and even God, Himself.
Sure, it seems, that publically, God lets His works speak for Him…
Ps 19:1-4 “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. 2Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. 3they have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. 4yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”
But when He interacts with His children, it seems it is most profoundly in the secret place, in the quiet.
Do we realize…
…what a privilege it is to be “singled out”, to be so desired, so honored, so cared for, and protected, that He, our Father, the gentle and considerate Holy Spirit, would not air our dirty laundry, or any laundry, out in public, but would esteem us enough, to keep it between us, me and Him? That we can be confident, that the only way my stuff gets out, is if I foolishly air it, or someone sins against me by breaking a confidence, sharing a secret, or gossips about, or slanders me, or melodiously repeats something to others…
It is no wonder God detests lips, tongues, and mouths that destroy and separate
Prov 6:16-19 “...a lying tongue…, a false witness who gives false testimony and one who stirs up discord (dissension) among brothers.” (Lev 19:16; Pr 11:13; 12:17; 14:5; 16:28; 17:4,9; 19:5, 9; 21:28; 25:23; 26:20; Ro 1:29; 2Co 12:20; 1Tim 3:11; 3Jo 1:10)
Man, am I glad that…
…when God confronts or convicts me, very often, most often, it is in the quiet private place of my soul, my mind, my spirit. And even if He should use another, His way is for that to be done in private, away from the peering eyes of others, alone. (Jo 21; Matt 18:; Gal 6; 1Pe 4)
Will I do unto others, what God does for me…?
How then, am I to act, even toward others? The way God acts toward me - in the secret.
Matthew 6:1-18
When you “do” your acts of righteousness, kindness, and goodness… do them as God has done for you, with you: stop, move slowly and quietly, turn, look, esteem…
When you pray… realize God is esteemed, He delights in our presence, He relishes our time in the quiet, together. He is there and affirming and rewarding
And when you fast… seek satisfaction in God and god alone. it is here we make the effort to remove all impediments that stand between us and our experience our Father’s unadulterated presence, where we declare our deepest desire to know Him more and to find our deepest satisfaction in and with Him - being willing to lay aside our own comfort to better and more deeply commune with our Father, in Christ, by the guiding grace of the Holy Spirit - because I am quiet, meeting Him in the secret, I can sense His presence, hear His voice, and know, Him.
