Don't Miss the Joy

Attend to the One within you. These words were on my mind when I awakened one Sunday morning. With these words came a picture of the previous evening.
I had been away for several days, and it had been so good to return home the night before and focus on family. Our daughter and son-in-law had come over, and as we sat around the table eating strawberries and ice cream, they were telling me what had happened in their lives while I was away. I didn't want to miss a word. I "attended" to them-eager to concentrate on what they shared.

Now the Spirit was saying, "Be as attentive to Me as you were to them." I looked up the word "attentive" and learned that to attend to someone is to behave toward that one in a way that shows special affection. It is to listen carefully and with concentration. So the Spirit wanted me to be attentive to Him and aware of His presence. Absorb His words, abide in Him, and listen to His direction.

This was an intriguing thought. I d0n't want to neglect or ignore the Holy Spirit, and even if I do not sense His presence, I can affirm through faith that the Holy One is within.

George Fox said, "It is a wonderful discovery to find that you are a temple, that you have a church inside of you, where God is. In hushed silence, attend to him. The Lord is in his holy temple."

Attending to the One who indwells us gives great joy. "Even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy" (1 Peter 1:8).

Jesus, thank You for the joy I have when I acknowledge Your presence within me.
 
"They ate and drank with great joy in the presence of the Lord" (1 Chronicles 29:22).