Practicing In His Presence

Not too long ago, I allowed a dear friend to talk me into taking an aerobics course. I had always heard that exercising with a friend increased the chances of you sticking with it. That, coupled with my desire to increase my movement, made me think it was a good idea… only to discover that it wasn’t going to be a typical aerobics course-- it was step aerobics.  

I am going to begin by saying that I am not the most coordinated person in the world and providing me with a step would surely increase my opportunity to hurt myself or someone else.  

The first day, our instructor started with the basics:
Left foot up,
Right foot up,
Left foot down to the right,
Right foot down to the right,
and repeat.

This would probably not be a big deal to most people, but I could not get the rhythm.  

When the instructor went up, I was down.  When she was down, I was up.  It seemed that I was always a second behind her, no matter what.  

There I was, uncoordinated, throwing off everyone else’s rhythm and falling off the step a time or two… or three.

But then something began to happen. I slowly got better with time.
With practice and repetition, my rhythm improved.

I find that my rhythm with God can feel the same way when I am out of step, when I am not digging into His word or spending time in His presence-- when I am operating outside of the spirit.


I can feel it happening.  I become irritable and short tempered, and my joy isn’t exactly bubbling over either.

But it it doesn't happen suddenly, does it?
For me, it begins with the little compromises. It begins with neglecting to spend time with Christ one morning, then two, and ultimately, because of a full schedule, a full week goes by without my spending time with Christ.

Maybe it is different for you; maybe it is using slightly crude language or chattering about a co-worker.  Whatever it is, it starts small, until we are just slightly out of sync-- one second behind the Spirit of God, throwing off the whole rhythm of the relationship.  And not only your rhythm, but the others’ close to you as well.  

As moms we need to be intentional about “keeping step” with the Spirit.

We need to be diligent about “practicing” in His presence- that is spending time with Him, knowing Him, and syncing our lives with His will.

With full lives and full calendars it can be hard to make time for this spiritual “exercise”. But today, in between the requests for sippy cup refills or teenage chatter, find a few moments where you can spend some time practicing your steps. Getting in sync with the Spirit through song, Word or prayer.

Slowly, over time and with repetition, your steps will become more and more in sync with His. You will find yourself falling less and enjoying the rhythms of His presence like never before.


Word of the Day:
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25 (NIV)

Prayer:
Father, you know my intentions but I don’t always follow through how I should.  In those moments when you feel me out of sync with your Spirit, please remind me to check my rhythm.  Cause me to remember your glory, your grace and the perfect peace that can only be found in you, in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.


Author: Kandice Adams

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