In Pursuit of His Presents or His Presence?

During this Christmas season, millions are in hot pursuit of the perfect Christmas presents for their loved ones, friends, and extended family members. Hours are spent pursuing the perfect presents, leading to sheer and utter exhaustion, and sometimes disappointment. Individuals will get up day after day, determined to find those perfect presents. Some will even camp out at the department stores for days at a time, living on the bare necessities of life, hoping to be one of the first to enter the store in hopes of the chance to get that present at a bargain price! (Now if that floats your boat, I’m not judging.) On Christmas morning, a sense of accomplishment is felt as the family members and friends smile broadly after receiving their most desired and coveted presents! It’s amazing how these precious presents, after only a short time has passed, are no longer the flavor of the day. An upgraded version comes along, and replaces the flavor of the day so quickly, especially if it is a technical “toy.” The happiness felt when receiving these presents, is fleeting. They break, they get lost, individuals tire of them, and they are easily replaceable.

During this season of giving of presents, and experiencing the warm and fuzzy feelings, I have been in pursuit of the reason for the season; not of presents, but instead I have been in hot pursuit of the presence  and power of the Almighty! My soul is thirsty, thirsty for the Living Water! O my God, my soul longeth after Thee. My desire is not to seek His hand, but to seek His face. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, For the living God. (Psalm 42:1-2) “Fill my cup Lord. I lift it up Lord. Come and quench this thirsting of my soul. O bread of heaven, feed me til I want no more. Fill my cup, fill it up, and make me whole!” Once we have experienced the awe-inspiring and majestic presence of the Lord in our lives, there is no going back, because there is nothing like experiencing the presence of Almighty God! Instead, we want to experience more of His presence, more of His power, more of His glory, and more of His holiness. Once we have entered the Holy of Holies, and the presence of the Lord envelops us in a  glorious way, nothing will ever equal that experience on Earth. There is no present in this world, which can take the place of the Manifest Presence of the glory of God! Thou wilt show me the path of life: in His presence is fullness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalm 6:11) After experiencing the Doxa of God, Your glory, and the Kabod of God, Your weighty presence in my life, I need more, more, more, Jesus more of You. I want You to rain down on me Jesus. Saturate me with Your presence and power, Almighty God. Anoint me with fresh oil. I thirst for You, O God! Only Your presence can quench this thirst, because nothing else will do. Lord Jesus, I long for so much more of You! O bless Your holy name! So, during this season, let us remember the reason for the season. Let us be in hot pursuit of His presence, and not just presents to place under the Christmas tree. Set aside time to go into your secret closets, and to be in the presence of the LORD. After all, it is not about us, but it is ALL about Jesus Christ! He is the gift that keeps on giving. The gift of His presence is irreplaceable. Focus on the glory of God. Focus on giving God your very best gift, your surrendered self, a living sacrifice unto Him. Focus on giving God the glory which is due unto His name! Lord, I want more of You. I am thirsty for You, O God! Are you thirsty for the Living God? May the Lord bless you abundantly, today and every day!