When God calls you to do something great, please know
that the sacrifice required will be great as well. It will require that you
become intentional as you seek to develop a more intimate relationship with your
Father God. One awesome example of someone who was always intentional in
developing his relationship with God is Moses. Let's go to the book of
Exodus.
Exodus 33:7-11 (NLT):
(7)Moses took his tent and pitched it outside the
camp, far from the camp, and called it the tabernacle of meeting. And it came to
pass that everyone who sought the Lord went out to the tabernacle of meeting
which was outside the camp. (8)So it was, whenever Moses went out to the
tabernacle, that all the people rose, and each man stood at his tent door and
watched Moses until he had gone into the tabernacle. (9)And it came to pass,
when Moses entered the tabernacle, that the pillar of cloud descended and stood
at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses. (10)All the
people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the tabernacle door, and all the
people rose and worshiped, each man in his tent door. (11)So the Lord spoke to
Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the
camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from
the tabernacle.
Moses took his tent and pitched it outside of the camp
as a special place to meet with God. Far away from the camp. Away from all the
people. He intentionally set aside a place to meet with, speak with, fellowship
with and to hear God. And it was in this place that Moses intimately talked
with God, face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.
Moses' example of pitching his tent outside of the camp
or setting aside a special place to meet with God serves as a powerful example
for us today.
We must also be intentional when it comes to developing
our relationship with God and seeking intimacy with Him. Intentionally setting
aside a place for Him. Away from the crowds. Away from distractions. Away from
the hustle and bustle. Away from the daily grind. Making room for Him in your
life. Being as purposeful in your pursuit of Him as He is in His pursuit of
you.
He never stops pursuing you.
Moses knew that if he was going to lead God's people,
the nation of Israel, he had to remain close to God. He knew he had to hear
God. That was his priority.
What God has for you requires that you get far away from
the distractions. Far away from everyone else's voice and meet with Him. You
must be intentional.
Your very life must be "prostrate" before God. It is so
much deeper than a physical location.
Yes, it's good to have a specific physical place that we
meet with God. But, I can guarantee you that there are people that enter a
physical "prayer closet" each day. Their place that they have quiet time. But,
for some, their life doesn't reflect it. Because, for them, it's become about
ritual. Not relationship.
Matthew 15:8-9 describes them,
(8)‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. (9)And in vain
they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ” (Matthew
15:8, 9 NKJV)
This is so much deeper and bigger than our "sweet hour
of prayer." No longer can God be limited to an hour. But it's about our life
being a continual, sweet smelling fragrance in His nostrils.
It's about constant communion &
fellowship.
It's about allowing our lives to be poured out as a
drink offering unto God. We must make room for Him in all that we do.
Yes, Moses set aside that tent physically, but his life
was a life set aside. His very life was set aside and he let God know that he
was dependent upon Him. He let God know that He needed Him.
We must intentionally make room for God in all we do.
Today, ask the Holy Spirit to help you be more intentional in your walk with
Christ. Allow the power of an intimate relationship with Him, to permeate your
entire life.
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