Sometimes during our busy schedules, we tend to push ourselves to focus on Him that puts us to the end of ourselves just to connect to Him, not knowing that the God of the universe Who loves us dearly and deeply is continually without interruption focused on us 24/7.

“What is man that You are MINDFUL of him,
Or the son of man that You take care of him?  (Hebrews 2:6)

MINDFUL is defined as focusing one’s awareness on the present moment.  It is being aware of · conscious of · alive to · sensible of · alert to · awake to · acquainted with · heedful of · watchful of · careful of · wary of · chary of · cognizant of · wise to · hip to · regardful of · recognizant of.

Last Sunday, my schedule was tight that I could barely find a spot for me to go to church which I always love to do. I found myself subject to the schedule of my friends who I was helping with at that time.

During the course of the day, there was such a stirring in my heart to go. Not until I rested on the move of God did I find that open door to go to church.

The whisper of the enemy was strong, telling me “how religious I was” to push my way through and yes, I felt bad about it. I fought it by just flowing and finding myself driving towards the church. How he sounded like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. But God Who is rich in mercy and abounding in love rescued me.

As I was engaged in pressing in and focusing on His presence in the middle of praise and worship, I heard His still small voice, “Your coming here is not about you being RELIGIOUS. It is I Who pursued you to come. It is I Who wooed you to be here in My presence. This is RELATIONSHIP.” Oh wow … how my heart melted and got freed from the whispering lies of the enemy.

Then, the words of the song penetrated my heart beyond comprehension as a response to what He has spoken, “YOU overcame and YOU made a way!” In truth, He overcame the obstacles for me. He made a way for me to get to church. Yes, it was all about Him just as so I can be in His presence.  ALL glory and praise to the One Who loves you and me.

Behind what I thought was religiosity, our Loving Father saw beyond. He saw a sincere heart who wanted to touch base and be immersed in His presence in a corporate setting, “neglecting nor forsaking NOT the assembling of ourselves together. (Hebrews 10:24-25)” It was HIM all along making His way into my busy schedule.

“[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.”  Philippians 2:13 AMPC

After having such an intimate encounter in His presence, my heart opened and hungered with expectancy.  Our expectations indeed are God’s invitations.  The words that were taught, preached, declared and prophesied became so alive quenching every inch of thirst and filling my hungry heart.  His fullness was so evidently flowing, radiating and powerfully ministering to every one in that place.  Truly, gathering in His presence releases key moments that refresh our very beings as we sit at the feet of Jesus, as like Mary.

Jesus continued from there toward Jerusalem and came to another village. Martha, a resident of that village, welcomed Jesus into her home.  Her sister, Mary, went and sat at Jesus’ feet, listening to Him teach. Meanwhile Martha was anxious about all the hospitality arrangements.

Martha: Lord, why don’t You care that my sister is leaving me to do all the work by myself?  Tell her to get over here and help me.

Jesus:Oh Martha, Martha, you are so anxious and concerned about a million details,but really, only ONE THING matters. Mary has CHOSEN that ONE THING, and I won’t take it away from her.  (Luke 10:38-42)

There may be times when going to church cannot be avoided. Relax and be at peace. But there are also times when we cannot make it possible, He paves the way to make it possible.  He looks at our heart’s intention and when He sees it pressing in towards meeting His own heart’s desire, the impossibility is made possible.  This is when our preferences are in submission to His love principles.  This is relationship, the very way in which two beings regard and behave towards each other.  It is a state of being CONNECTED!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for always pursuing and making a way when we cannot find that open door to commune with You. Thank You, Jesus, for always interceding for us that our our heart’s intentions are continually aligned to Yours. Holy Spirit, thank You for manifesting Yourself, speaking to our hungry and thirsty hearts that we may be FULL and FILLED, lacking nothing. Amen!