So, when it comes to God, can you spend too much time with Him. Too much time seeking Him? I work at North Coast Church. Three to four times a year, the leadership team plans a staff day…sometimes it is as simple as lunch, others a training of some sort. Once bowling. And, we spent one day at Green Oak Ranch playing games, building cardboard forts that impersonated vehicles and throwing, as well as dodging, water balloons.
So a week ago we were all called together to give us direction for our next all staff time. As we sat together waiting for what adventure we would be sent on, we were told to take a Sabbath. The following Wednesday the church would be closed and we were to spend our time in a day of rest and renewal. A day to seek God, a day to just listen. Listen? You mean it not about me talking?
I had planned on spending the time alone (with God) but then thought I’d just let God lead me. I ended up beginning my day with my sister. At times, she is one of my more challenging relationships so I felt lead to begin time with her. I have a friend who is Jewish – he once told me before the day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), you have to get right with man before you can get right with God. I think about that a lot. When I seek God, when I ask God for blessings…I stop to think am I right with my world, right with people in my life. Anyway, I met my sister at the Prince of Peace Abby in Oceanside. We first attended their mass (with the monks). Very cool. Beautiful, beautiful Abby atop a hill over the airport and then the monks…. I find monks so intriguing – so Godly. And they sing, as monks often do! After mass we went their one mile station of the cross prayer walk, stopping at each station reading the corresponding scriptures and discussing them on the way to the next station. My sister’s biblical knowledge is amazing. She has always been so much smarter than me. Sailing thru college, while I crawled on my hands and knees. Anyway, I would love to have her knowledge of the bible. I have good people knowledge, she has great book knowledge. So I am rambling. We spent three hours at the Abby, and then separated for the remainder of the day.
We then separated and I went to Torrey Pines, hiked the trails. Nothing real significant but spent time on the trails, listening to worship music and just being in “awe” of all that God has created. Spent a lot of time just listening, just sitting and some time reading Louis Giglio’s The Air I Breathe..subtitle Worship as a Way of Life. How we worship, what we worship and why. And how God both wants and designed us to worship Him. A day spent seeking God, something I need to do and will try to do more often.
So my recommendation for you, find time…an hour here, two hours there…set it aside to just be…just be with God…sit in His presence. No expectations, just let God lead you.
