2023 Dates … Intimacy with God
In this final day of the 12 days of Christmas, if there was a gift I could wrap with a pretty bow, walk over to your house, knock on the door and give you, it would be this.
Intimate time with God in 2023.
“Jesus invites us to come and rest, to spend time with Him in incredible intimacy. Intimacy that allows us to be honest in our complaints, bold in our approach and lavish in our love. Intimacy that allows us to hear our Father’s voice and discern our Father’s will. Intimacy that so fills us with His love and nature that it spills out to our dry and thirsty world.”
Having a Mary Heart in a Martha world, from Mt 11:28-29
I don’t think it was a coincidence that my friend Cathy slipped a little handwritten note with this quote into my purse at church Sunday morning; the first day of the New Year.
Our heavenly Father has so much for us. We find our truest selves, our deepest peace and joy through time with Him. You know all those continual foggy areas of life where we need to know what to do? He is there waiting, ready to shine enough light to see our next steps.
Intimate time with Him, a Morning or Day Alone with God (MAWG/DAWG) or retreat brings the clarity we can’t get any other way. Why do we twist, turn, ponder and wrestle with problems going around in circles in our mind? We can’t figure them out on our own. Those pieces of us that have been bruised, scarred or splintered he wants to glue back together again. If we will come, separate a few hours or what feels like a luxury (but, actually, is our birthright as His child) a couple days on retreat, all our anxiety would melt away and we would leave our time more fully who we were created to be, clear in our purpose and secure in his love.
In December, I asked a close friend if I could use her house as my Sanctuary for a Day Alone with God. She graciously said “Yes!”, prepared her beautiful home and left the door unlocked. I was weighed down, exhausted and tormented by anxiety; feeling my responsibilities were too heavy and terrified that I wasn’t up to the tasks before me.
I came. Knelt on her living room floor and let go before God. Sobbing erupted from deep inside. So many tears. Weights I’d been trying to bear myself. Time for scripture and journaling. And then, He directed me to music. Brought a few titles to my mind. I listened. It was as if he was singing them directly to me and then me back to him. He assured me of His strength. The fear that I didn’t have what I needed melted away as He reminded me of Peter sinking in the water as he moved from joy, focused on Jesus, to fear looking down at the waves. I took those songs home with me and return back to them when the weights try to push back in.
He healed, filled and equipped me with the salve of His presence.
So as the dust settles from the Holidays and the house grows quiet again, before you’re totally done with presents, receive this gift for 2023.
Times of Intimacy with Him.
The Abide Prayer Cabin...
always here, to make your Sanctuary for day or overnight use
https://www.thesanctuaryatbearcreek.com/the-prayer-cabin
MAWG’s (Monthly Morning Alone with God)
Christ Community Church, 3370 113th Avenue, Allegan, MI 49010
3rd Saturday of the Month, 9:00 - 11:30 (Jan 21, Feb 18, March 18, May 20)
Meeting together for opening prayer, then spreading out for Time alone with God
https://www.thesanctuaryatbearcreek.com/events
3 Day Silent Contemplative Retreats
What our heart is always longing for but is so difficult to find! Extended time with God and community with a group of like-hearted believers.
Spring, April 14-16, 2023 - Portage Lake Bible Camp, Onekama. Opportunity for both men and women (details coming soon!)
Fall, October 13-15, 2023 - The Hermitage Community, Three Rivers
https://www.thesanctuaryatbearcreek.com/events
Come :)
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Question: When did you feel closest to God in 2022? How is He drawing you close to Him in 2023?