In the Light of the King’s Countenance

“In the light of the king’s countenance is life,
and his favor is as a cloud bringing spring rain.”

Proverbs 16:15

There’s nothing quite like sunshine.

After a week of coughing, sore throat, and overflowing sinuses, I’m so excited to be feeling better. Along with a few home remedies and a pot of really good homemade chicken-coconut soup, one of the most healing elements was sitting out in the sunshine.

Warm rays brought color back to my checks and lifted my spirit like the iris bulbs popping up in the flower beds. I love the smell of wet earth and my every pore seemed to pause and soak in the fragrance as I listened to snow melt off the roof.

But if I’m honest, it took the prodding of the Holy Spirit to get me out there. After several days of barely doing anything, little chores kept tugging at me Although I love watching spring unfolds its wings, I found myself keeping busy even as my heart heard the Spirit’s call to go outside.

There seems to be this inherent desire in us as humans to always be busy, doesn’t there?

Some like to work with their hands, some like to see how far they can stretch their physical strength, while still others constantly work to expand their mental capacity.

Many stay busy without realizing by endless entertainment – games, music, movies, and even relationships.

While all of these activities can express who you are and what you love, there’s something very profound about lingering in silence before your Maker, allowing His Spirit to minister deep within. Reading the Word, prayer, and worship are also important ingredients to our walk with Christ, but more than we know we need regular times of simply enjoying being with this One we love.

As I sat soaking in the sun, it was easy to picture myself also soaking in the Son of God. I closed my eyes until I was more aware of His Life flowing through me than even the sound of my own breath.

Sometimes in these moments He speaks, sometimes not. But with or without words, the Holy Spirit always does what I cannot – in me, for me, and afterwards, through me.

I love this reminder from Martin Smith’s new autobiography Delirious:

“The sound of our songs should never drown out the silence required to listen to God. The busyness of ‘doing great things for God should never take us away from His feet.” Martin Smith – Delirious

How hard is it to sit at the feet of Jesus?

To stop and bend down and quiet yourself before the One who knows the secrets of your soul, the thoughts of your mind, the desires of your heart?

How hard is it to shed pretense, ambition, and activity before the One who knows neither anxiety nor fear? To rest before the One who holds the universe in place by His word? Not His strength of action, but by a word.

Close your eyes and gaze into His. You will not find contempt here, only overflowing love, joy, and hope.

You won’t always understand at the time what God is doing as you sit quietly with Him, yet later you’ll notice greater strength and courage, you’ll sense a softened heart, and you’ll realize new revelations of His grace and mercy.

It’s true; God never leaves us. David proclaimed in Psalm 139:7-10 “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.”

Yet David also experienced an intense, deep-rooted longing to dwell in the inner courts of his King. His one desire was to gaze upon God’s beauty and meditate in His temple. “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else…” (Psalm 84:10)

Just as there’s a difference between sitting in the house where sunshine is coming through the window and going outside and soaking in its warmth, there’s also a huge difference between knowing God is everywhere and stopping to bathe in His presence.

Take a minute. Take 30 minutes. Be still and lean back into the Source of Life. Let Him fill and rejuvenate you for the path ahead. It’s His great desire and pleasure.