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Friday, October 21, 2011

A Lifetime of Pressing In

During the past several months, I have heard the same phrase over and over again in my heart; "Press into Me.  Press into Me."  I can't escape it.  I don't want to escape it.  The women's Bible Study group I belong to just wrapped up a study of Sheila Walsh's Book, The Shelter of God's Promises.  Sheila starts the book with a story of camping, bad weather, animals and finally, finding shelter from the storm in a cleft in the rocks.
                                                                  
That cleft in the rocks is Jesus.  He is our shelter from the storms of life.  Life can be hard.  It can batter us around and suck the very breath out of us.  But not if we're in the cleft of the Rock!  It was when our group started this book study, that I first heard the words, "Press into Me."  During moments alone, just me and my Lord, it's easy to press into Him.  I find I can be honest with Him there.  I can open my heart and show Him every hurt, every bit of anger and resentment, every wound.  He is so sweet with me there.

But I have also discovered that I can be in the cleft of my Rock anywhere; in my car, at the grocery store, at work, at my son's swim meets.  You see, we can take Him with us and be drenched in His sweetness, wherever we go.  It's not as easy as when we're alone with Him, but He promises to be our strength when we are weak.  He promises to be our peace that passes all understanding.  He promises He will never leave or forsake us.  So as we press into Him, become intimate with Him, as we learn to dwell in Him, then, when the storms of life come (and they will come) He will carry us through to victory. 

That victory will look different to each one of us and we never know what circumstance or situation He will use to bring us to victory, but be assured, He will.  He will turn our mourning into dancing.  He will put off our sackcloth and cloth us with gladness.  Will it be easy?  Will God be a magic wand that we wave to make bad things disappear?  No, He will be a presence, Who sometimes we can't even feel, but nonetheless there, to help us get through to that victory.  Living a lifestyle of "pressing in" isn't easy.  We can be distracted and walk away, so that we are caught off guard when we need Him most. 

I would encourage you, Dear One, to get in the habit of climbing into that cleft, getting up on His lap; whatever it looks like to you to be pressing into Him.  He will meet you there, of that, I'm sure.  And there is no better, safer, more peaceful place to be; in good times and bad.  Seek Him, not what He can do for you!  In finding Him, you will find all that you need. 

I intend to heed those words He has spoken in my heart.  I am dedicated to spending a lifetime of pressing in, leaning in to Him.  There's no where I'd rather be!

From His Lap, (the cleft in the Rock),

22 comments:

  1. This is such a beautiful post. As usual, I have goosebumps and tears in my eyes, and I'm nodding my head up and down as I read. I've been meaning to send you a message and tell you a story... it's a story about God bringing healing in the midst of sadness, and of my humble realization that I can't see the grand plan the way God does, so I just have to trust Him.

    Wishing you a beautiful weekend.

    Hugs, Jenn @Misadventures in Motherhood

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  2. Jenn,
    Thank you so much for stopping by! I've been waiting for that story. I know you'll send it when you're ready!
    God is so good and so faithful. He holds us in the palm of His hands and never lets us down!
    Hugs!
    ~Erin

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  3. Erin, I loved your post. I find it comforting to know that God is always there and that no matter what is happening in my life that I can always count on God and I know that he is listening. I might not always like the answer but he knows best. One of my favorite sayings is "God doesn't say "No" he says, "Not Right Now" or "I have something better in mind" .
    Thanks for another beautiful post.

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  4. Thank you, Karen. I hope you & your hubby are recovering well from the accident! God always answers our prayers, doesn't He! They just might be better answers than we expected!
    Love you!
    ~Erin

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  5. Amen. Love this photo of you. It is like a modern day biblical photo! Dianne

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  6. Dianne,
    I'm just missing the burka! Love you. Thanks for leading us through the Sheila Walsh book study! You are so faithful.
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  7. Thanks for the loving reminder to press into our Savior. What awesome pictures! Your writing is always so refreshing.

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  8. Susan,
    Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm always so honored when you stop by!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  9. Love this so much. I love the visual of the cleft in the rock and I love the saying, "Press into Me." Those prompts are always helpful when we forget to rely on Jesus. Thank you for that so much. You have such a gift to inspire!

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  10. Erin, I love the photos in this post! It is indeed so hard to press in to God when we don't always feel His presence. But the more time I spend in prayer and studying His word, the more in tune with Him I become. I always love reading your posts. So God glorifying! :)

    Love you,
    Rosann

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  11. Michael Ann,
    You are so precious! Thank you for your kind words. I'm so glad you stopped by. I love that too, "Press in to Me".
    Hugs,
    ~Erin

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  12. Thank you, Rosann!
    It's hard when we can't feel Him there, but He alway is! I thought those photos were perfect for this post too.
    Blessings and hugs!
    ~Erin

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  13. Beautiful post, Erin...at our best and worst moments, relying on our faith always brings the most peace and happiness.
    What perfect photos for this post! As always, gorgeous in every way!
    Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
    Xoxo
    Maria

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  14. Perfectly said, Maria...at our best and worst moments! When we stay close to Him, we will walk through them all, to victory!
    Hugs,
    ~Erin

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  15. As I am reading your post, my sweet 8-year old son has crawled up in the bed with me, pressing in close as he watches a cartoon and I read precious blogs. I love how your writing and my experience reminds me of how I nestle, press right into my Heavenly Father. There I find warmth, comfort and peace.
    Also, I'm your newest follower through your RSS feed. I'll look forward to having your posts delivered right into my Google Reader,
    Have a sweet day, my friend...

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  16. This is so precious. He longs for us to desire Him. He longs for us to hunger for Him. It's so easy for me to let the buzz around me distract me from my true pursuit. Thank you for this beautiful reminder, dear Erin! :)

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  17. "Press into Me" I love this...what a wonderful and encouraging post....I will remember these words and use them often in the future.....

    I don't know how people get through life's storms without our rock, Jesus, to get them through......

    Have a great weekend...

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  18. Stefanie,
    What a precious example to have your son pressing into you as you read this post! I bet that made the Lord smile! Thank you so much for subscribing to receive my posts. Your blog always blesses me!
    Hugs,
    ~Erin

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  19. Anne,
    You have such a busy life and you are an example to many of how to have a home that serves the Lord. It's hard for me to see you being distracted from the things of the Lord.
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  20. Nancy,
    I love when you stop by!! Yes, "Press in"!! He speaks those words to me every morning. I hear them clearly in my heart!
    Hugs and blessings,
    ~Erin

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  21. Oh, my precious sister in Christ...thank you for your sweet words about pressing into HIM. He has been my rock this last year with so many struggles and trials....from changing churches to loosing my Mamaw, then my Mom's heart attack...my husband is loosing his job and is having some health issues...but GOD...is AWESOME...and I know that He is already out there in the future providing a way for us that we cannot see...but HE has a plan...for our future!!! Jeremiah 29:11-13!!!

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  22. Deb,
    You are an example of a true woman of faith. You have been a wonderful role model for so many of us as we have watched you go through all of your journies with a quiet grace and dignity. I, too, have been through a very difficult year, suffering some things that I have spoken about only to God and a close few friends. The only way that I have made it through is by staying at His side, always. You are a precious, precious sister and I love you and continue to pray for you.
    Hugs and blessings,
    ~Erin

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Thank you for giving us a little nugget of truth from your heart!

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