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),