Intentional 21 Devotional: Day 4 - Letty Riordan

As I sit here attempting to write this devotional, in a loud house full of busyness, I realize God is here. 

He is closer than we realize. Sometimes, I get caught up in a religious mindset and think the only  way I can enter in His presence is by getting on my knees in prayer and diving deep into the  Bible. Although those practices are essential in staying close to God, He is also right here- in the  midst of my busyness. He is right there with you as you read this. He is not limited to the walls  of the church. There’s no special formula to access His presence. He is right here, right now.  Take a moment to acknowledge that. 

He is with you as you go through your struggles. He is holding you, catching every tear that no one else sees. He hears every prayer in your heart that never makes it to your lips.  

He is also with you in the simple things, as you go on a walk and hear the birds chirping. He is in  the heartbeat of your children as you embrace them. He is in the love in the eyes of your spouse.  He is in the brisk wind on your skin and in the warmth of the sun.  

The Bible says in Psalm 34:8 “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” God is to be experienced. It  is one thing to believe in Him, but a completely different thing to experience Him! 

It is such a wonderful gift to know Him. John 10:27 says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know  them, and they follow me.” Can you think of the last time you actually heard God’s voice? It  could be in a dream or in a whisper in your heart. Or maybe you haven’t yet, but want to! 

I want to encourage you to ask God to help you experience Him on earth.  

Psalm 27:13 says, “I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of  the living.” 

God is not just in heaven, but here with you now and He wants to interact with you. What a  concept! 

Engagement:  

Today, I want to challenge you to engage with God in a new way. Find Him in the details.  Experience Him with all of your senses. Find Him in the touch of a loved one as you embrace  your spouse, children, or friend. Feel Him as you go outdoors and feel the warmth of the sun on  your skin. Acknowledge Him in the scent of your spouse’s cooking, or the smell of flowers or  fresh cut grass. Hear Him in the laughter of your children or in your evening conversations as  someone trusts you with their emotions. Find Him in the sweetness of your morning hot drink.  Experience Him in all ways this life has to offer.  

God is so good and this life is such a gift. Without His breath of life, we are just a shell. Take a  deep breath. That breath is a gift.  

Meditate on His wonder today. Cultivate a deeper Awe of the reality of His existence, His  magnitude, and His goodness.  

May this fast help you connect with God in a new and tangible way.