What if I said, “Stop praying?” What if I told you to stop talking at God for a while, but instead to take a long, hard look at Him before you speak another word? Solomon warned us not to rush into God’s presence with words. ~Francis Chan in Crazy Love, p. 25
Stop.
Quit.
Hush.
And just contemplate His beauty.
Set aside the requests and just marvel.
Don’t even speak of gratitude.
Don’t struggle to hear Him speak.
Just gaze at Him.
In His creation.
In His Word.
Be still.
And consider.
His detailed handiwork.
His masterful artistry.
His colorful creativity.
The magnitude of His majesty.
His glory in the galaxies.
The greatness of the great I AM.
Whatever God’s reasons for such diversity, creativity, and sophistication in the universe, on earth, and in our own bodies, the point of it all is His glory. ~Francis Chan in Crazy Love, p. 28
Stop praying.
For just a moment.
Just bask in His presence
And be silent before Him.
I am.
Blessed God, Israel’s God, the one and only wonder-working God!
Blessed always his blazing glory!
All earth brims with his glory.
Yes and Yes and Yes.
~Psalm 72:18 (Message)
Linking with Bonnie today as she asks us to share our thoughts on quitting or not quitting something.
And spilling crumbs with Emily.
I must confess. I’ve read Crazy Love three times and don’t remember this quote. It’s obviously about time to read it once again.
Thank you for sharing this.
First words of first chapter. Stunned me for a moment. 🙂
Stopping, wordless awe..
this is blessed
He has some videos over on his site http://www.crazylovebook.com – one called “The Awe Factor” takes you way out into space.
This is right on time in my life. I needed this perspective.
Thank you for writing…
Me, too. 🙂
I like this Sandy. I never considered not praying, but simply sitting in his presence, absorbing. My post today is sort of about that, ironically!
It was a beautiful post, Michelle. I thought it was exactly like this. 🙂
We definitely need to consider Who we are addressing. Sometimes we forget just how awesome and powerful He is!
That’s one of the things Francis tries to get us to think about, at least in the first chapter. Amazing to focus on His awesomeness–and then call Him Abba.
I want to do this, “just gaze”…I need this reminder, Sandy.
Just to be in HIs presence . . .
oh…. God is really speaking to me today about resting in him. i love, love that you said to stop praying and just ‘be’ in him. i’ve been so anxious these past couple of weeks; i just want to abide in him. thank you, beautiful friend.
Resting and abiding with you, sweet Emily. He never meant for us to live frantic, anxious lives. Why do we let ourselves go there?
I really love the way that you used your words here….such an amazing reminder. I really like the quotes you shared too…I have never heard of Crazy in Love.
Thanks for sharing! Joining you from Faith Barista.
Thank you, Lindsey. It’s so nice to see you here. I hope you can get and sit with this book this summer. A great time to just bask in His wonder.
There are times I will just sit with Him, but usually in need, in thanks and worship on the go, when I am again surprised at the beauty of His creation I usually use words. I wonder what it would be like to just silently soak. It’s been a while.
And so, my friend, have you spent some time just silently soaking?
Ah! You got this “whitespace” girl’s heart! I LOVE this post… and love how you share the best stuff with us! Thanks, Sandy!
Love you, Bonnie. And I love how you inspire me. 🙂