Call it what you like – ‘Soaking’, ‘Waiting on God’, ‘Tarrying’, ‘marinating’ etc.- but the practice of simply setting aside time to ‘be’ in the Presence of God is essential for our health and well-being, and a large part of our ‘raison d’etre’.
I have decided to rename it for our fellowship as ‘Sunbathing’. Every year people pay hundreds if not thousands to escape the oft dreary weather of the British Isles to lie on a recliner round a pool, not doing anything in particular other than receiving the benefits that the sun offers – vitamin D etc etc.
Because we live in a very fast-paced, demanding culture, this space away in the warmth serves to de-stress, allow thinking time, and re-aligns us a bit more closely with our human need to regularly rest and not ‘do’ anything but simply ‘be’.
So it is our heavenly Father’s heart for us that we carve out time to sunbathe in His Presence. Radiating from Him is an immense source of goodness, kindness, love, power, peace, healing, restoration for our bodies, minds and souls. As we sit our lie down in the light of Him, we naturally receive this goodness.
So why not try it out? It doesn’t cost thousands of pounds! Simply find a quiet, comfy place, and invite the presence of the Holy Spirit into the moment. If you find it helpful put some quiet music on, or simply enjoy the silence or sounds of nature wherever you are.
If you’re an active person you might struggle at first to settle into peace, just as it often takes busy people a day or two to really relax into a holiday and forget the world they’ve left behind – but be encouraged, the more you do it the easier it gets. Just start off with 15 minutes or so, and see where you get to. It’s OK if you fall asleep – you obviously needed it!
Happy sun-bathing – I look forward to seeing your new glow!
I have decided to rename it for our fellowship as ‘Sunbathing’. Every year people pay hundreds if not thousands to escape the oft dreary weather of the British Isles to lie on a recliner round a pool, not doing anything in particular other than receiving the benefits that the sun offers – vitamin D etc etc.
Because we live in a very fast-paced, demanding culture, this space away in the warmth serves to de-stress, allow thinking time, and re-aligns us a bit more closely with our human need to regularly rest and not ‘do’ anything but simply ‘be’.
So it is our heavenly Father’s heart for us that we carve out time to sunbathe in His Presence. Radiating from Him is an immense source of goodness, kindness, love, power, peace, healing, restoration for our bodies, minds and souls. As we sit our lie down in the light of Him, we naturally receive this goodness.
So why not try it out? It doesn’t cost thousands of pounds! Simply find a quiet, comfy place, and invite the presence of the Holy Spirit into the moment. If you find it helpful put some quiet music on, or simply enjoy the silence or sounds of nature wherever you are.
If you’re an active person you might struggle at first to settle into peace, just as it often takes busy people a day or two to really relax into a holiday and forget the world they’ve left behind – but be encouraged, the more you do it the easier it gets. Just start off with 15 minutes or so, and see where you get to. It’s OK if you fall asleep – you obviously needed it!
Happy sun-bathing – I look forward to seeing your new glow!