Prioritizing God’s Presence

by Jalexus McClendon

We may often find ourselves with a list of tasks to complete, but say we must “make the time” to complete them. Last I check, each passing day has the same guaranteed twenty four hours in it. It’s not really a matter of making time but rather prioritizing the time that we are granted daily. As believers our top priority should be our relationship with God. This includes daily communication with Him, devotion in His Word, and our expression of adoration for Him. God desires an intimate relationship with us, and is always available as we seek Him. As we prioritize the presence of God in our lives, this means that other things in our life will have to take the backseat. As we prioritize the presence of God in our lives, some things and some people may actually need to get thrown out the window, placed out of the car completely, and no longer permitted to go along with us in life and on our Christian Journey. After all, it is the presence of God in our life that makes the difference and determines the quality of life we live!!!

I find space for what I treasure,

I make time for what I want,

I choose my priorities, and

Jesus you’re my number one!

-Make Room Lyrics by Jonathan McReynolds-

I really love the lyrics listed above by Gospel Artist Jonathan MyReynolds from his song titled Make Room! He uses the phrase “make time” but expresses that we use our time for the things that are important to us. It is a choice that we make! If you have not listened to the song, I highly recommend you do! Matthew 6:21 reads “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” If I place my treasure or value in Heaven then that is where my heart or attention will be. The same applies if my treasure or value is on earthly things, then my heart and attention will also be on earthly matters. We not only have to make a choice but it has to be a daily choice to prioritize being in the presence of God. My brother in Christ stated it so clear in his recently shared Facebook post “The encounter has to be daily. Lord, take us out of survival mode and put us in revival mode”. Such a powerful statement to the importance of seeking God as a priority and not as a last resort. Living a life set apart requires a lot of time set aside for quiet time with God alone.

And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.

Matthew 14:23

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

Mark 1:35

In the verses above we witness just a couple of many instances that Jesus himself went off alone, for quiet time with God. Jesus was busy ministering to others yet was intentional about His time with God. It is in those moments that we are intentional about seeking the face of the Father that our relationship with Him grows deeper. My local church has adopted what is called the First Fifteen. It entails spending the first fifteen minutes of your day with time set aside for and with God. Five minutes of praise or worship, five minutes of reading the Bible, five minutes of prayer, and lastly but certainly not least, five minutes of remembering God’s goodness, provision, and protection, in your life. I have recently challenged myself to not get on social media or text or call anyone until I have at minimum completed my First Fifteen. This is just another way to hold me accountable. Often times we can claim to have no time yet find the time to do other things before having our time with God. The First Fifteen is a great starting point but definitely does not have to be the only time spent pressing in God’s presence. As you start a routine, and also begin to reap the benefits, you will quickly find that you desire to spend more and more one on one time with God. The personal time we spend with God not only has the capability of setting the tone for your day but ultimately the trajectory of your life. As heavy as that may seem, it is true! It is in the still quiet moments when communing with God that He grant us the wisdom on when to do, what to do, and how to do. It is in those quiet moments that He corrects us and instructs us on living righteously. It is in those quiet moments that we not only sing praises to the King of Kings for who He is , but we also remind the enemy that we know God is in control and that nothing he throws our way can overtake us. It is in our quiet time with God that we are encouraged to go on, knowing we are in the Master’s hands.

I have a designated area in my home for my quiet time with God. It is not necessarily a prayer room or prayer closet but rather a space I have partitioned off with a shower rod and curtain in the corner of my Master Bedroom closet. It is not nearly as fancy or aesthetically pleasing as the photo pinned to this post above. Though I do plan to do more decorating, it is the purpose of the space that matters most, and that is what makes it special! This space is solely for my time of prayer and devotion. It is a space where I can tune out any and all distractions. It is hidden and tucked away from the everyday hustle and bustle within my household. I’m also sure to announce to my children before going in , “please do not bother mommy, she is about to have quiet time.” I love the privacy of the space which ultimately encourages intimacy. I am alone and able to be completely vulnerable in the time that I share with my Heavenly Father.

I challenge you to prioritize seeking the presence of God in your life. I challenge you to be intentional about the time you spend with God today, this week, this year, and the rest of your life. I challenge you to create a routine of intimate devotion with God. I challenge you to create a private space for this time. I challenge you to do so with an expectation that before you arrive in the space, and before you have your quiet time, that God is already there, eager to meet with you.

You can follow the author of this post, Jalexus McClendon on her Personal Instagram.