Absorbed in His Presence

"Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us" (Phil. 3:17, ESV).

Like a sponge, children are always listening to, observing, and soaking up everything around them. They then begin to mimic what is said and how people act and react. I am amazed at how my three year old granddaughter imitates many things her mother says and does. One such precious moment I will never forget was during a worship service when she lifted her little hands in praise to the Lord. She has seen her mother worshipping and was doing the same thing, even mimicking her facial expressions as she looked upward in praise and worship. "Let the children come to Me" (Luke 18:16, NIV). I saw this so vividly as this scene played out and how she had absorbed what she saw, and that she too was absorbed in His presence.

What are we absorbed in? What are we watching and listening to? What are reading? What do we commit to be involved in? What exactly are we spending so much time doing? We, too, are like sponges absorbing everything around us. Are we absorbed in the things of flesh influenced by the world around us, or are we influenced by the things of the Spirit? Are we absorbed in Jesus' presence? Are we soaking Him up?

"Whatever we choose to observe and pay attention to is being absorbed into our minds and hearts that will directly affect our thoughts, words, and actions. Pay close attention to what you are soaking up! "Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]" (Phil. 4:8, Amp).

I strongly encourage you to be absorbed in His presence. Everything you do should be a reflection of Christ: His love, His kindness, His humbleness, His devotion, His mercy, His grace, His example in prayer and acknowledging the Father. Spend time with Him, learn from Him, study the word of truth. Be in an intimate relationship with Him. Soak it up! "So I urge you, be imitators of me [just a child imitates his parents]" (I Cor. 4:16, Amp).

In this present moment is where you are, make the changes you need to make in order to become more aware of God's presence within you. Absorb His loving, comforting presence all around you. Then you, too, will be able to imitate Christ in your daily walk.

 "Whoever says he lives in Christ [that is, whoever says he has accepted Him as God and Savior] ought [as a moral obligation] to walk and conduct himself just as He walked and conducted Himself" (I John 2:6, Amp).

Heavenly Father, may we be absorbed in Your presence so we may become imitators of Christ. We praise You for Your ever presence in our lives. Thank You for Your word of truth, may we soak it up and store it in our hearts. We love and honor You Father. In Christ's Holy Name, Amen.