Deep Within

Ordinarily I publish my weekly posts on Sunday afternoons. Today is Saturday, and here I sit with my laptop crafting an early Easter offering. This unusual shift in my schedule is due to several factors. Tomorrow being Easter Sunday, we will attend church, go to my sister’s for the family meal, and then hustle away to our favorite mountain top campground for a week of tent dwelling.

This morning we started early with laundry, a trip to the grocery store, packing up the dry goods and other camping paraphernalia, and loading the truck, which now looks like something out of a dime novel featuring a family fleeing the East Coast for a great adventure in the Wild West. I spent the afternoon whipping up the deviled eggs (60 of them) for the family gathering tomorrow, and later this evening I’ll finish packing my clothes, books and art supplies.

Now here I am, turning my thoughts toward heaven and toward you, dear reader. Easter. What a glorious celebration of Jesus’ victory over sin and death! He is risen, and you and I are rejoicing together as fellow heirs of the King. Hosanna!

I am grateful for the annual rhythm of the holy commemorations. Especially, the anniversary of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. It is good to set aside this time to remember and to reflect, and also to acknowledge the reality of His kingdom.  When Jesus began preaching in Galilee, He was saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15 NKJV)

The kingdom of God is not distant from us. In fact, Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21) This is a mystery, but it is a mystery we can know. (Luke 8:10) “Seek first the kingdom of God,” He said. (Luke 12:31) According to these Scriptures, the kingdom of God can be found, and it can be found deep within us, where Christ Himself resides, if we have received His gift of salvation.

In other words, there is something available to us in the here and now that comes from the eternal realm. And that something is Someone. He is nearer to me than my breath. He is deep within my spirit. I want to know Him there, in that place, not just above me and beside me, but inside the deepest part of me.

I don’t know all that this means. What I do know is that He wants me to join Him in His kingdom, and He has said that His kingdom is within me. You have possibly read many writings on prayer, and you know that there are many types of prayer. There is also an intimacy of communion with Him that is too deep for utterance. (Romans 8:26) This is the prayer life I long for: to encounter God and see His kingdom – the vast and glorious beauty of it.

Dear reader, shall we look for what He has promised we will find? Shall we encounter the God of the universe in our deep being? Can we give everything to Him, release all that calls to us and beckons our attention, save His own sweet presence? I want to. I hope you do, too.

I have the benefit of going away this week. Away from my daily chores and duties. I am grateful for this opportunity to sanctify my mind and give Him my heart. Who knows? Maybe I will see Him there. I pray that you, too, will find time to go deep with Him, hear His voice, and feel His love.

Until next week, beloved, enter in and seek His kingdom. Adventure awaits.