Tina Mann looks at what we have in God

Tina Mann

Sometimes in life we get so involved in our own little world of being busy, we fall into the habit of doing things in our own strength and we begin to loose perspective. Situations around us seem to increase in intensity and the bigness of God in our eyes, diminishes. We sense something is not right so we cry out to God for rest, for refreshing and for strength. Great prayer requests and things that he is well capable of doing but lets remind ourselves who has been so busy recently? Who has not taken time to soak in Gods presence and has been frantically working hard to hold things together? Yes you guessed it...you!

Quality time in Gods presence is our only hope for living a victorious, well watered, purposeful life. Yes God can be found in work and in the things we do for he promises to never leave us but I believe there is such a feast for us in his presence, there for the taking but we just don't realise! It's like we are standing in a room filled with the finest food, most refreshing drink, endless treasures but we have our eyes closed. So firstly quality time with God is a necessity if we want to know him better and further his kingdom on earth, but secondly it brings the revelation of what we can access; take hold of right now through what Jesus has done for us. The very things we cry out for in prayer for example greater freedom, purpose for our lives, victory in certain areas, are not as far away as we think!

Being desperate for God is a good thing for without him we cannot live. I know from my own life, after crying out to God (because I felt so spiritually dry) for many months for purpose, strength and more of the Holy Spirit but without any change, I knew something wasn't right. So I cried out even more, prayed harder even fasted (a big thing for people who love food!) in greater desperation. Was I not being faithful? Was I not doing all I could? Are we not to be desperate for more of God? Yes we are but what I failed to realise was I was crying out for things I wanted, needed but I already had.

God wants us to search for him, pursue him, spend time in his presence but he wants us to believe that he hears our prayers and that he is faithful to answer. Some of us can be so busy crying out that we fail to see what's right there in front of us for the taking. If we cry out Lord I am thirsty and dry, please refresh me. Does Jesus not himself say that those who drink his water will never be thirsty again? John 7:37 Or Lord I am hungry for more of you, I feel empty; does Jesus not say that he is the bread of life and that those who partake of him shall never be hungry again? John 6:37. Yes we are to pour our heart out before him and cry out to him, but let's not forget the promises he has already given us. This feast of promises is found in his presence and is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit and the scriptures. Are we chewing on the feast available to us in Gods word or do we just read the Bible. Jesus said man shall not live by bread alone but by every word from the mouth of God (Matt 4:4) so let's take time chewing on his word.

Let's take hold of the promises he gives us. I believe that this will curb most of our fear, anxiety, desperation and change the way we pray. God will give us more when we receive all that he has already given us. So let's open our eyes to the endless treasures available to us in Christ, the feast of goodness and promise that surrounds. Whether that is healing, freedom or hope for the future, be aware of what you ask for in prayer, you never know, you might already have what you are praying for! We just have to open our eyes sometimes to see!