Lean In
Our daughter just turned one last month. One of our family’s favorite things that she does right now is whenever anyone kisses her or puts their head against hers, she presses back into you. We affectionately call it “the lean in.”
I was in prayer the other day and heard the Holy Spirit whisper to my heart, “lean in.” At first, it just made me think about the phrase we all use for the baby’s cute behavior. But as I paused and listened, I was so challenged by this and began to examine my heart asking myself the question, “How am I leaning into the Lord right now?”
For every person reading this, you are experiencing some level of chaos, change, challenge, fear, or worry. It is natural in a season like the one our nation is currently experiencing to allow the things we read or hear or are walking through to dictate the state of our mind and soul. One thing I am sure of is that in every season there is an invitation from the Lord to “lean in,” to seek his face for a fresh aspect of his character to be revealed and to feel him press back against you with his promises, his truth, and his perfect love.
One of my favorite Psalms is chapter 27, specifically verse 4. David says, “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that I will seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.” One thing! There was just one thing that the psalmist was after: the presence of his Creator God. If you read the verses before and after verse 4, it is as if David was saying, “No matter what I am up against, no matter how difficult things are for me, regardless of how afraid I feel, all that I long for is you! All that I desire is to be in your presence. It is here I find safety, confidence, protection, and security.”
It can be overwhelming and all-consuming when we are in seasons full of change, financial strain, career shifts, and so much unknown. A daily prayer that I have been praying is “Lord, help me to lean into you today. In every moment, the good and the difficult, help me to experience your presence in the midst of what I am doing.” We know the great power that the presence of God holds. His presence is a salve, a balm, the place where the answer to every longing is found. His presence is where we access the grace for each day, unlock the power of His Word, and find hope for each tomorrow. His presence is the “one thing” we desperately need to continue walking in strength, peace, and truth.
My prayer for you today is that if you are weary, lean in. If you are afraid, lean in. If you are sick, lean in. If you are overwhelmed, lean in. Lean into his presence and his lovingkindness. We know that the God we serve is faithful. Hebrews 10:22-23 says, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”