Book Club: Presence

Colossians 3:1-2 (NIV)

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

I have loved reading since I was a very small child. Escaping to new worlds and learning new information is what you will still find me doing whenever I find the time. In January, I challenged myself to read fifty-two books by the end of this year. I honestly thought this new year’s resolution would crash and burn but I find myself ten months later having read 46 books with two months to go. I have read books of all genres but it is the books that have explored the Word of God and shared wisdom on discipleship that have shaped me the most. This week I would like to take inspiration from five of these books and pull out some of their nuggets of wisdom in the hope that they will also inspire and encourage you. 

Let's start with one of my favourites: The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, a monk who lived in the 1600s. It's a collection of letters that give a beautiful snapshot of a life completely devoted to spending time with God. Most of his letters are spent encouraging others to think of God at all times and, in one incredible part of his final letter, he writes: ‘Let us begin to be devoted to Him in earnest. Let us cast everything besides out of our hearts; He would possess them alone.’ This is a simple, yet stunning reminder to rid our minds of any earthly distractions and focus our attention on our heavenly Father and all his glory. 

Today I want to encourage us all to meditate on the words of Brother Lawrence and these verses in Colossians 3 and set aside even 5 minutes to sit and think of nothing but God. 

Prayer — Loving Father, we acknowledge your presence with us today. Help us to draw our thoughts back to you in the midst of a busy and distracted world and devote ourselves to meditating on your glory.