The Year of More of God

I spent some time last week in one of my favorite places, my in-law’s place in Illinois, the farm where Jessie grew up.  Surrounded by corn and quiet, I came to see this has been the Year of More of God.  It hasn’t been a year literally.  More like 18 months, but some of the habits God has been building in me have been going on for less than a year.  Maybe we could think of the Hebrew word, “yom,” or day, meaning a literal sunset to sunset day, but also an extended time, like “back in my day…”

I will finish reading the Bible for the tenth time since January of 2020.  That has definitely been more of God!  It is not about boasting.  It is not to say that I am super spiritual or know more than you do.  It has, in fact, revealed to the large gap between what I want—entire sanctification—and what I am.  Between who I am and what I profess.

This has been a time of committing 3 hours per day in the mornings, given to God for prayer, Bible-reading and study.  A certainty has emerged from this time with God: if there is something I am needed for in the church, or something I can accomplish for the church, rather than spend that time in prayer, then I am a problem, a liability for the church.  If there is something I can accomplish more than can be done in prayer, then my vision and my ministry is pathetically carnal.

This has been a season punctuated by powerful, extended prayer time.  Deep conviction. Deep calling. Deep encouragement. Clear direction.

A time of overcoming.  Days like these, commitments like these, do not come without spiritual attack.  It has been critical and a work of grace that God has defeated the enemy when I retreat to prayer, the Word, and by making plain to me the source of my discouragement.

I look forward to what the Lord has in store!