Shepherd Elie
We often find ourselves at the crossroads of entering and staying in the presence of God. Just as we’ve established that to stay in, we must first enter, we now delve into the essence of staying in and the transformative power it holds.
Staying in is not a passive state but rather a continuous lifestyle, marked by a resolute intention to remain in God’s presence. It’s a deliberate decision to dwell in Him, even when the world tempts us to be mere passers-by. We must remember that God patiently invites us in, just as He knocked on our doors (Revelations 3:20).
Prayer, a vital aspect of staying in, mirrors our desire to remain in God’s embrace. The story of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:12 & 17 teaches us that God notices our commitment to staying in through prayer.
It reminds us to be patient, to listen attentively to His voice, and to align our prayers with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. To truly stay in God, we must allow Him to realign our focus.
This requires introspection into what consumes our time daily—whether it’s careers, relationships, or social media. These are not inherently wrong, but they can become detrimental distractions when they replace our connection with God. Psalms 27:4 urges us to seek dwelling in the house of the Lord above all else. We must reflect on our deepest desires. What do we long for most in our lives? Recognizing that only Jesus can satisfy our innate void, we must come as we are, not seeking to fix ourselves but allowing His transformative presence to change us.
What we seek the most ultimately defines our priorities and becomes our idol if it displaces God. Seeking God’s kingdom first ensures that everything else falls into place as we rest in Him. Staying in requires intentionality and willingness.
While God calls and invites, we must make a conscious effort to engage in prayer, meditation on Scripture, and worship. God doesn’t force us to stay in; the decision rests with us. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is our Helper and Comforter along this journey. The implications of staying in include self-consent, consistency, self-discipline, conviction, and commitment. Self-consent means a spontaneous desire to be with Jesus, not reliant on external pushes. Consistency and self-discipline keep us grounded in the Word, even when our flesh falters. Conviction assures our loyalty to Christ, even when circumstances seem unclear. Commitment involves being an active part of a local church and finding belonging in the body of Christ.
The characteristics of those who stay in are akin to Ruth—determined, visionary, willing to pay the price for a glorious future, and numb to worldly solicitations.
They are those who linger after the preaching, becoming increasingly insensitive to the flesh. In conclusion, staying in is a journey of faith and intentionality. It’s an invitation to remain in God’s presence, to be transformed by His grace, and to find fulfillment beyond worldly pursuits. Through self-consent, consistency, conviction, and commitment, we become part of a family that overcomes sin and death in Christ.
For those who have accepted Jesus, the Holy Communion serves as a reminder of our inclusion in His family. For those who haven’t, Jesus extends an invitation to receive Him as Lord and Savior today. Salvation is available now, a transformative step towards staying in God’s eternal embrace (2 Corinthians 6:2).
