I am, therefore, I MUST

After a recent visit to Free Chapel in Gainesville Georgia, I keep hearing the words of Pastor Jentezen Franklin ringing in my head. His message was appropriately titled, "I am, therefore I must!"

I am the called of God and my life has a purpose to bring glory to the Lord on high therefore I must position myself to hear His voice. I must fulfill my destiny and purpose in the earth that He may be glorified.

As I reflect on these words even as I write, I say to myself I am...
I am tired of not being productive for Christ
I am bored with the day to day nothingness
I am unwilling to accept my present as an indicator of my future
I am trustworthy and accountable
I am the one He can use

Therefore, I MUST rise up
I MUST seek His face
I MUST humble myself and pray
I MUST turn from that thing or those things which keep me from Him
I MUST designate a specific time and place to get in His presence

Have you ever thought about how much planning goes into an event such as a baby shower or wedding reception? We know exactly what we're going to wear, what we're going to serve, whom we will invite, and the exact date and time of the event and nothing and no one will get in the way of that plan. If anyone calls us to entice us to go somewhere or do something other than that which we have planned, without hesitation, we say no, I'm busy that day and at that time.

When we're at the theater watching a movie, we turn our phones on silence or vibrate so we won't be disturbed while we watch our movie and eat our precious popcorn. We treat that time as if it is sacred and even become irritated when that phone lights up as a call comes in. If we choose to answer it, we speak quietly and do our best to hurry the conversation so we don't miss anything and so we don't disturb those around us.

But what about that prayer session you were just in? Even as you walked the isle and prayed, no matter how many times someone came up to you and said hello, you smiled and said hello, or even stopped an engaged in conversation and laughter as if you really were not doing anything important after all.

I don't say this to be offensive, but if we are in the presence of the All Mighty God and we are having important dialogue with Him, why do we not treat it as such? Why do we check our cell phones, stop to play with babies, pause to compliment someone on their attire, or just chat about meaningless topics? Weren't you just talking to Jesus? Where did He go? Can you visualize pushing Him to the side while you chat with your brother or sister then you turn back to Him and start again and stop again and start again, etc. That's exactly what we are doing! Think about it! We are so distracted by the goings on of man, that we forget that we came together to encounter God. That brother or sister will be there when this is over, even if you haven't seen them for a year; now is not the time!

If we had been alive during the days of the high priest who were the only ones who could even enter into the presence of God, we would all be that limp piece of lifeless meat being dragged out by a rope due to our unworthiness to be in His presence!

We come before Him halfheartedly, without reverence or fear and we do our halfhearted obeisance to Him while allowing anything and anyone to distract us in the process. Have you ever wondered what the Lord is thinking at that time?

When you are intimate with your spouse, it's usually behind closed doors, especially if you have children or other guests in your home. Why? Because that is private time, not to be shared with anyone but the two of you. You would not dare leave your bedroom door open and allow anyone to view or walk in an interrupt that precious time. You would not walk out on your spouse in the middle of intimacy to just say hello to someone or take a call, you would let that person pass by without so much as making eye contact and there is no way you're answering that phone! Unless there is an emergency, even the kids are ignored or sent away if they knock on the door. Why? Because some things are not meant to be interrupted. Some things are meant to be special, intimate, undisturbed, sacred, holy, reverential and worshipful. Isn't that what our intimate time with the Lord is supposed to be like?

The sanctuary of God is a holy place; a sacred place; a place where we are to reverence the Holy One. It's just like being in your bedroom with your spouse. Nothing and no one should interfere with that intimacy between you and He! The phone should go unanswered. The TV should not be on. The children will be there when your prayer time ends.

If we all begin to reverence Him and prevent anything or anyone from interrupting that time with Him, maybe that encounter with Him will not have to be a time of intense labor but a time when those miracles, signs and wonders are made manifest because we are once and for all on one accord intending to reach a common goal; ENCOUNTERING HIM and ONLY HIM!

The next time someone comes to you during prayer and taps you on the shoulder, just politely say, I'm sorry, now is not the time. Some will be offended at first, but I believe the end result will be well worth it!

In my home, our children know that when my husband and I go into our bedroom together, we are not to be disturbed. It took some time for it to sink in, and sometimes they need to be reminded, but we have taught them to respect our privacy and we also know that if they knock anyway, it must be of great importance. In much the same way, our time with the Lord can be established. If someone taps you on the shoulder during prayer, try saying, now is not the time. If it doesn't sink in, just remind them that I AM, in the presence of God, therefore I MUST get back with you.