The Missing Piece in My Walk With God | Learning to Live in God's Presence
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How God's Presence Changed My Life From the Inside Out
I came to know the Lord Jesus Christ for myself at the age of nine, just one month before my tenth birthday.
Growing up in a Christian home, I was surrounded by the things of God. I heard the Word preached and taught. I learned the songs of Zion. Spiritual disciplines were instilled in me by my parents from an early age.
As I grew through adolescence, my teenage years, and into adulthood, I remained actively involved in ministry. I led worship, directed choirs, preached the Gospel, and faithfully served wherever God opened a door. After being called to preach at fourteen years old, I preached my first sermon and continued pursuing the assignment God had placed on my life.
I loved serving in the temple.
I loved being around the people of God.
I loved being involved in ministry.
Yet despite all of that, I found myself struggling with many of life's challenges.
I wrestled with low self esteem.
I struggled to understand why certain people disliked me when I had done nothing to them.
I experienced grief, loss, disappointment, and seasons of confusion.
I struggled with forgiveness.
I struggled to understand why difficult things happened when I was faithfully serving God.
I continued serving.
I continued ministering.
I continued worshiping.
But something was missing.
For years, I could not put my finger on what it was.
The Difference Was His Presence
Everything began to change when I stopped simply serving God and started intentionally dwelling in His presence.
I made a decision that being with God mattered more than anything else.
As I spent time in His presence, God began to reveal things I had never fully understood.
He showed me myself.
It was as if I were looking into a mirror for the very first time.
He revealed areas that needed healing, surrender, growth, and obedience.
Scriptures I had quoted for years finally became truths I could live.
Biblical principles I had heard preached my entire life suddenly became realities I could walk in every day.
The disconnect began to disappear.
The more time I spent in God's presence, the more my spiritual eyes were opened.
The Circumstances Didn't Change. I Changed.
One of the greatest lessons I learned is that God's first priority is often not changing our circumstances.
His priority is changing us.
The challenges did not immediately disappear.
The waiting seasons did not suddenly end.
Every prayer was not instantly answered.
But I was different.
I began seeing life through a new lens.
I experienced a level of peace, understanding, and spiritual clarity that I had never known before.
Instead of constantly fighting for victory, I learned how to live from a place of victory.
Instead of confusion, I found confidence.
Instead of frustration, I found trust.
Instead of striving, I found rest.
The more I immersed myself in God's presence, the less distracted I became by everything around me.
Many of the things I had spent years waiting on God to do are now slowly unfolding in His perfect timing.
Some of them seemed to arrive quietly, almost tapping me on the shoulder while I was focused on something else.
Why?
Because my attention shifted.
I stopped obsessing over what I was waiting for and became consumed with the One I was waiting on.
Anna Understood This Lifestyle
In Luke 2:36-38, we meet a woman named Anna.
Anna spent decades worshiping, fasting, praying, and remaining in God's presence.
Her relationship with God was not an occasional event.
It was her lifestyle.
When Joseph and Mary entered the temple carrying Jesus, most people simply saw a baby.
Anna saw the Messiah.
Why?
Because years spent in God's presence had sharpened her spiritual vision.
She recognized what others overlooked.
The Secret Place had prepared her to recognize God when He appeared.
The same is true for us.
The more time we spend in God's presence, the more clearly we hear His voice, discern His leading, and recognize His hand at work in our lives.
Like a Tree Planted by Streams of Water
Psalm 1:1-3 describes a believer as:
"He shall be like a tree planted by streams of water."
A tree does not visit the water.
A tree remains planted near the water.
Its roots stay connected to the source.
Because it remains:
- Fruit is produced.
- Leaves do not wither.
- Strength develops.
- Life continues to flow.
The blessing is not found in occasional visits.
The blessing is found in remaining connected.
When the Secret Place becomes a lifestyle, we stop visiting God's presence and begin living from it.
Steeped In His Presence
To steep something means to soak completely until the contents begin to change.
That is exactly what happens when we spend time with God.
His Word softens what has become hard.
His peace settles what has become anxious.
His love heals what has become wounded.
His wisdom brings clarity where confusion once existed.
His glory draws out the gifts, purpose, and identity He placed within us.
The longer we remain with Him, the more we begin to reflect Him.
We begin to think differently.
We respond differently.
We see differently.
We live differently.
š¤ A Moment of Reflection
Sometimes we become so focused on where we are trying to go that we overlook what God is trying to develop within us.
The Secret Place reminds us that God's greatest work is not always what He does through us, but what He does in us.
As you reflect on this week's message, consider:
- Have I made God's presence a priority or an afterthought?
- Do I seek God only when I need something?
- Am I visiting the Secret Place or dwelling there?
- What areas of my life need to be steeped in God's presence?
- Can others see evidence that I have been with Jesus?
š Go Deeper in Prayer
Join me for this week's Monday Morning Prayer & The Word as we conclude our Secret Place series with the message:
When the Secret Place Becomes a Lifestyle
Together we'll explore how remaining in God's presence transforms our spiritual vision, strengthens our walk, and teaches us how to live from a place of victory.
šÆļø Ministry Resource
If this message encouraged you, I invite you to explore our:
Created to help you cultivate intentional moments with God through prayer, worship, reflection, and personal devotion.
Whether you are beginning your journey or deepening your walk, these resources are designed to help you create space for His presence in your everyday life.
š Stay Connected
Continue growing with us through:
- Monday Morning Prayer & The Word
- Biblical encouragement and blog content
- Worship experiences
- Resources designed to help you deepen your relationship with God
To learn more about the ministry and explore ways to stay connected, visit:
www.acupofworship.com
š„ Final Thought
The goal of the Secret Place is not simply visitation.
The goal is transformation.
When God's presence becomes your lifestyle, you stop chasing what only He can provide and begin enjoying the One who provides it.
The things you've been waiting for may still be on the way.
But when you are fully immersed in His presence, you discover that He was the greatest reward all along.
ā A Cup of Worship
"Enjoy His Presence Daily"
Psalm 16:11Ā