As I grow older, I have a stronger desire to slow down and be with God. I want to learn how to enjoy his presence. I believe that God’s presence - in and by itself - heals so many wounds and corrects so many wrong beliefs that it is difficult to overstate our need to simply “be with God.”
But to “soak”, which means to spend unhurried, extended time with God, we need to seek from God an unusual
Calmness as we enter his presence
Focus on him and his word - we dismiss distracting thoughts from our minds
Sensitivity to his Spirit
Decompression into full rest - an anxious heart cannot hear well from God
Submission to the Spirit - his agenda will be different than ours
Discernment so that we know to whom we are listening
Patience - it takes time to enter into a quiet rest
Trust in him
Sense that he delights in us
Spending extended time with God is necessary in our busy lives. Try going out six months on your calendar and block out one day to do nothing other than spend time with God. Plan for it. Anticipate it. And guard that day with ruthless vigor.
You’ll never be disappointed if you take extended time to soak with God.
