Location? The Lord’s Living room.
I am reading a book called 'Choosing Gratitude' by Nancy Leigh DeMoss for a woman’s group. It’s about, as I am sure you’ve guessed, gratitude. Fun fact: this book has exposed me as an ungrateful little brat (my mother would tell you that she's' known all along). However, I have not come here today to talk about that issue, instead, I want to talk about something the author mentioned in passing. In my experience, it’s the offhanded comments that really hit me.
Chapter Four, titled “Why Choose Gratitude?” takes you through scripture and teachings on the importance of making the conscious (hard) choice to be grateful regardless of the situation. Maybe the hardest thing ever to do.
Page 70 says: “Thanksgiving puts us in God’s living room.”
This didn't strike me as anything super noteworthy my first read through; it didn't even make it to my highlight list. However, while sitting in the middle of the Bible Study, someone noted that as a section that had really stuck with her. She went into detail as to why, talking about thanking the Lord in prayer and how that moves your heart and mindset.
She really got me thinking.
Farther down in the same chapter she says:
“… In every situation…prayer + thanksgiving = peace”
This really got me thinking about how instantly we can pray and be in the presence of God… in His living room even.
Prayer is not sending a long-drafted email and refreshing your Outlook every few moments for a response. It's not yelling out into the void, red faced and frustrated (how it often feels for me). It's not even a casual coffee shop chat - I believe the Lord is more personal than coffee shop catch-ups. There is no 'wait time' to talk to the Lord, no cue that you stand in to get a moment with Him. This is the hard part about being human, truly, I don't think we can fully understand the omnipresence that is The Lord. And how can we really? Humans with beginning and ends understand THE Alpha and Omega? He was at the beginning and He will be beyond the end. He is everywhere He is invited, all at once. Hard to wrap a mind around.
Prayer (we’re running with the living room example that DeMoss used) puts you instantly into the Lord's living room. Instantly in His presence. Almost an overwhelming thought - having that access to the Creator of the Universe. But isn't that why Jesus came to Earth? To fulfil the old law and create this access and intimacy? I think I would take speaking to the Lord in His living room over sacrificing animals to atone for my misdoings and hearing from the Lord through the chosen Priests. To each, their own.
Matthew 27:51 says, "Behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent.” My understanding is that once Jesus fulfilled the Old Law, the veil between the Holy of Holies was torn, in doing so, signified the veil being torn between all of Us and God. No more need for the Temple of the Most High, now we ALL have access to The Lord. Apparently, even His living room (haha).
I’ve been thinking about this little line of DeMoss’s book for a few weeks now; there were a few days where I felt like 'dang, does he even want me in His living room?' Seemed a little too comfortable? Maybe I shouldn't be allowed that closeness? But then, I suppose, you have to differentiate between the religious-ness of Christianity or having a Relationship with The Lord, Himself?
I believe we are called to be in relationship with the Lord, to know Him beyond going to Church and following rules. He wants to KNOW us. Why wouldn't I 'be' in the Lord's living room when praying?
The verses, John 14:1-3 (NIV), comes to mind when I think about all this: "My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me, that you also may be where I am." I think if He is building a room for me in His Father's home, dying for me on a cross, and taking all my sin away on a daily basis, I'm sure He wouldn't mind if I dropped in to talk with him. Does my logic track?
I especially like the example of the living room because it creates a cozy atmosphere - I often feel as if God is a 'cold', authoritative figure. My knee-jerk reaction is not to imagine him as smiling and warm. My mind gets too caught up in the jealous, righteousness of the Lord I have read about in the Old Testament and I forget about the lowliness and gentleness that also exists within the trinity. The same God that we will all answer to on Judgement Day, that the book of Romans tells us will take revenge on our behalf, is one in the same as The Holy Spirit, our Great Comforter.
So beyond my understanding. But I trust it.
Anywho, lately when I have been praying, I imagine I am in The Lord's living room; cozy and warm chatting with El Roi - the God who sees me. I get tingly just thinking about it. No more screaming into the void around here, folks. No more refreshing your email for a reply or staring mindless and numb at the wall as you try to feel 'close' to Him, rather an intimate conversation in His living room. I imagine He keeps the temp warm and has the perfect throw blanket to toss over your legs.
This leads me into the big question of: What do you think the Lord’s living room looks like? I would like nothing more than for you to think about this deeply and let me know. Include as much detail as possible please and thank you.
In my mind, the Lord's living room looks like my grandparent's old living room. Does The Lord's living room exist in a rambler on Trenton Lane in Maple Grove? I would assume not?? Does it have luxury carpet and little deer figurines?? Maybe?! I’m not sure what His style is tbh. Can’t tell you why, but that’s where my mind puts me.
I hope you all are spending time in The Lord's living room! I pray that you all cultivate a relationship and feel the peace that comes with knowing Him. This has been rambling around in my mind for weeks now, Friends. I am tickled pink to have it all down on paper (the blog).
