Be with Jesus
We want to help you identify the challenges when it comes to abiding in the presence of Jesus and the practices that may help you pursue this way of life. These are not exhaustive – and they are not formulas for success – but we hope they help in the same way that kindling helps to get a fire going.
// Our Hope //
Where the world aims to keep us constantly distracted, addicted to entertainment and so busy we are oblivious to Jesus’ leading, we are seeking what Jesus actually offers us: his constant presence, intimate relationship and a life guided by his voice through immersion in prayer, worship and the scriptures.
Challenges to maturity
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Naming it
In modern life there is a potent combination of mobile phones, the internet, social media, streaming services, to do lists, WhatsApp groups, the needs of others around us. A lot of this distraction is uninvited: companies frack the surface of our lives to extract our attention knowing that if they can repeatedly capture our short term attention then it will lead to long term loyalty.
And some of it is because our diaries are so jammed and our soul constantly in a state of disquiet that when we finally get to one of those fringe moments to snatch some time with God, we often cannot actually cope with ourselves. Distraction is a far more appealing prospect than facing up to the harsh landscape of our neglected inner lives and so we keep scrolling, click the bait and binge the series.
Diagnosing it
The impact of this is that we are being trained out of giving God any meaningful attention and we are neglecting to tend to the garden of our souls. Spiritual and emotional unhealth is left to grow increasingly toxic and our sense of who God is, increasingly faint.
And because our adoration follows our attention, the result is not only a perpetually distracted life and a disconnection from God but us falling in love with idols that will eventually break our hearts.
The Longing
We long to swim agains these currents and pursue a life of intimacy with Jesus and practice his presence. Giving God our attention may just be the modern day equivalent of an alabaster jar of perfume.
The Practices
Silence and solitude
Digital boundaries
Sabbath
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Naming it
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Diagnosing it
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The Longing
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The Practices
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Naming it
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Diagnosing it
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The Longing
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The Practices
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Naming it
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Diagnosing it
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The Longing
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The Practices
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Naming it
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Diagnosing it
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The Longing
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The Practices
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Naming it
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Diagnosing it
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The Longing
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The Practices
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Practices to pursue
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Reading the Bible and rooting ourselves in the word of God so that we live in and live out the story of God every day
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Cultivating union and intimacy with God by deliberately and regularly bringing our whole, true self in front of God in conversational prayer
Get going:
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Carving out regular moments where we are alone with God in silence without the distractions of people or media to become increasingly aware of His presence
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Fasting from something in order to feast on God. Creating a physical lack that we can channel into a spiritual longing
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Limiting the amount digital devices “frack” our lives to draw away our attention so that we can be attentive to – and therefore adore – Jesus
Get going:
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Creating a whole day in the week that is focussed on resting in God’s presence and combatting addiction to work; action; and self-sufficiency
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Ending the day by consciously being in God’s presence and prayerfully reflecting on the pattern of God’s activity in the day that’s passed before the next one begins
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Three fixed moments – morning, noon and night – of prayer; becoming present to God and inviting his activity in our life
Get going:
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