Linger in the Presence of God

Linger in the Presence of God

Linger in the Presence of GodI’ve always thought abiding in Christ is the most important task of a Christian. Everything else just details. Jesus himself invites us to remain in him, to linger in the presence of God. What could that mean in real life?

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. (John 15:4, NIV)

The Greek word used here is μνω [meno]. It can be translated as stay, remain, live, dwell or abide. All of them speaks of a continuous happening. We are not just to pray off and on to God and then be on our way.

We are to linger in the presence of God.
We are to stay, remain in God.
We are to live in the Holy Spirit.
We are to make our home in Jesus.

This changes everything, don’t you think? Meno describes beautifully the relationship between a believer and Christ. Our life is to be spent in the presence of God. We are to stay and remain in him all the days of our lives. This is an ongoing, intimate relationship we are talking about here.

If we really do permanently linger in the presence of God, we will naturally bear fruit. If we continually dwell in the presence of God, we get to personally know God and his power. If we stay in the presence of God, not just physically but also mentally and spiritually, we will always be blessed beyond measure.

That’s what I want. And that’s what faith is all about: a genuine, ongoing relationship with God. How do we get there? By lingering more and more in the presence of God.

The more time we spend with God, the more capacity for God is created in us.
The more capacity for God we have, the more of God we can experience.
The more of God we experience, the stronger our relationship with God becomes.

Gracious God,
Thank you for wanting us to remain in you,
continually, permanently.
Show us how we can linger in your presence.
Help us to know more of you.
Help us to make our home in you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Do you linger in the presence of God? How do you spend time with God?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you linger in the presence of God!

Image courtesy of Mari-Anna Stålnacke. Linking up with Unite the Bloggersphere and #tellhisstory.

6 thoughts on “Linger in the Presence of God

  1. Abide was my one word in 2015. Of course, I continue to abide, and keep this verse at the forefront of my thoughts. Because, like you, “That’s what I want. And that’s what faith is all about: a genuine, ongoing relationship with God. How do we get there? By lingering more and more in the presence of God.” Beautifully said. I’m joining you today from #TellHisStory.

  2. Hi Mari-Anna, yes I certainly want to spend more time lingering in God’s presence. How is that ever a bad thing right? I too want to bear good fruit, more fruit and all the blessings that come with spending time with Him, so much grace, so much favour. God is good, all the time.
    God bless
    Tracy

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