Spending Time with Jesus
by Jim Person
One morning a few years back, I began my day with a cup of coffee and breakfast in our flat’s small kitchen. While I sipped my coffee and pondered my hectic schedule, my middle daughter entered the kitchen and, opening our pantry door, went in and shut it behind her. Soon, I began to hear her singing songs quietly from within. So I rose and went over and opened the door and asked her what she was doing. She answered, with a grin from ear to ear, “I’m singing songs to Jesus!” Pleased but slightly taken aback, I affirmed to her that this was ok and closed the door, going back to my thoughts of a busy day. Shortly after that, I noticed that I was hearing no sounds from the pantry. Again I went over and opened the door. There, sitting on a large cooking pot, was my daughter eating pretzels. Asked again what she was doing, she replied, again grinning ear to ear, “I’m eating pretzels with Jesus!” So I did the only thing I could do…I left her with Jesus.
That day I learned a valuable lesson; I was too busy and I needed a relationship with Jesus like that, where I could fellowship with the Lord in songs and times of refreshment like a little child. How I long to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to Him, but as an adult my busy life takes me away from those times of refreshment. My friends, we need to be like a child and in total awe and total innocence spend time with Jesus away from the busyness of ministry, the job, housework, or general things that are constantly eating away our days. The busyness of life robs us of hearing the voice of the Lord. Jesus said that His sheep know their Shepherd’s voice (John 10:4 and 14). When was the last time you went into a closet (or pantry) and spent time with Jesus with the innocent acceptance of a child?
Prayer: Lord, how often my life carries me away and I find myself collapsing into bed, weary and exhausted from the busyness of my life. Help me, Lord, to make the time to spend some quality hours with you! I want to know You, Lord! I want to know Your voice! Would You take me by the hand today, right now and lead me into my quiet place? Thank You, Lord. Amen.
Jim Person Jim grew up in Alaska and from a small child commercial fished every summer with his family. God called him, his wife Tanya, and their four children to move to Hungary as missionaries in 2003. God then led him to join Ellel Ministries in 2005. After serving in various positions with Ellel in Central and Eastern Europe, God led them back to the United States, where he is now serving with the Ellel USA team. Jim and Tanya have a passion to see leaders restored, the church discipled and walking in God’s fullness of life and freedom. They also love mentoring the existing and developing Ellel teams wherever God leads them. Jim also has a real gift for working with the land to create a beautiful and welcoming environment.
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