Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Happy Eastertide! We focus on Jesus’ resurrection. He is alive. And that makes spring a perfect time to expand your awareness of his presence. This is Christian mindfulness: the practice of the presence of God in the present moment. God is all around you. All you have to do is notice and embrace God’s presence.
Would you like to notice God now? Try this simple three-minute meditation on Psalm 49:10. Don’t judge yourself as you do it. Just let God’s grace move you into awareness of God’s presence.
- Settle yourself quietly. Begin to breathe slowly.
- As you inhale, say: God, you are here.
- As you exhale, say: I am with You, God.
- Once you feel settled and open to God’s presence, start to meditate on the phrase: Be still and know that I am God.
- Do this for at least one minute in silence.
- Ask God what part of your life … a problem, an issue … that He would you to share with Him right now.
- Place those concerns before God.
- Do this for at least one minute in silence.
- Close in prayer: “Lord, teach us to recognize you in every moment … in work, rest, conversation and silence. Amen”
I hope you sensed God as you quieted yourself to feel His presence. As it says in Psalm 145:18: “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.”
He is all around you. And he wants you to live in his presence. As Jesus said in John 15:4-5:
Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
What Is Abiding in God?
What does that mean exactly? One of the best explanations I’ve read comes from Brian Hedges, writing on Christianity.com years ago. He said abiding has three interwoven aspects:
1. Connection: Abiding in Jesus depends on a life-giving, mutual connection. A branch is connected to the vine, and the vine is connected to the branch. This is what theologians call union with Christ.
2. Dependence: Although they are connected, the vine is not dependent on the branch. Instead, the branch is dependent on the vine. It gets its power and life-force through the branch. So we are dependent on Jesus to bear fruit. Apart from Him, we can do nothing.
3. Constancy: In fact, “abide” (Greek, meno) means to remain, or stay, or continue. This relationship is permanent and ongoing.
How can this abiding become reality rather than a goal? I believe the first step is to practice the presence of God, which I call Christian mindfulness.
Practicing the presence of God means becoming increasingly aware of God’s presence and developing habits that allow you to feel more connected, dependent and constant in Him. As James 4:8 reads: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to You.”
This is a practice I’ve had since 1990. One of the greatest benefits is that you develop an undivided heart. You gradually move from a split allegiance to the kingdom and the world. God’s presence becomes something you notice all the time. As Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life. You will fill me with joy in your presence with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
One of best known practitioners of this was little known in his lifetime: Brother Lawrence. I’ll write about his life story and the Biblical principles behind his practice next time.