Last month, I attend a women's retreat. The speakers there asked us to take a different posture for prayer. We were to open our hands, so as to receive what God would give and ask for His response during our conversations with Him. I am not and have never been an overly charismatic Christian. It is not something I am against, it is just something I have never been completely comfortable with. However, the idea of inviting God to speak to me, to find out what He wants from me, is appealing to me. I have been making an effort to receive in prayer, with open hands, ever since.
This idea of receiving from God also came up a few Sundays ago during a sermon. The message centered around Luke 11:38-42, the story of Mary and Martha. The main idea was this, to sit at Jesus' feet is to be submitted to His instruction. To be totally dependent and ready to receive whatever it is that Jesus has to give. That is the goal.
When I fix my eyes on all that you are, then every doubt I feel, deep in my heart grows strangely dim.
Strangely Dim, Francesca Battistelli
So, how do we do that? How do we give Jesus our undivided attention in a life that is full of distractions?
To fix our eyes on Jesus means to look intently at him. To be steadfast in putting our minds on things of Heaven, so that we can be ready to receive all that God has for us.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
- 2 Corinthians 4:18
In order to get to know someone, we need to spend time with them. My desire is to take time for Jesus. To fix my eyes and mind on Him. To find a place of rest in Him. I want Him to speak to me. I want to receive all that he has for me.
