Psalm 139:23-24 - The Light Within
Step 1: Pray. Select.
Today, as I sat down intentionally to spend time with the Lord, the Holy Spirit was bringing to mind the incredible omnipresence of God. How our Father truly knows everything inside and out that we are going through.
I began searching for scriptures related to the topic of God’s involvement in everything we do, and I came across Psalm 139:23-24.
This was the perfect place to start my journey today. So, I moved to STEP 2.
Step 2: Write. Read. Circle
After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out amongst the others:
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
Step 3: Re-Write
With a focus on the words I circled that stood out, here is the personalized sentence that came alive in my heart.
Jennifer, search me, know my heart, the way everlasting.
If you are doing this alongside me today, add your name in front of your unique sentence so the Lord can speak directly to you.
Step 4: Visualize
As I began to meditate on the sentence given to me by the Holy Spirit today, I realized how involved the LORD is in everything we do. He longs for us to search him, and as we do so, in turn, he will expose the places within us that only he can see.
I close my eyes and begin to picture a shadow of myself. I don’t see any of my features, clothes, or any other details—just a black-outlined version of me.
My shadow seems to be running amok, with no real direction. It seems to wander aimlessly in circles, bumping into things, floundering, if you will.
Until, in an instant, it stops. Everything suddenly slows down.
I hear my heartbeat, and then a light goes on within me, shining through me from the inside out. The light highlights all the intricate details of the heart's working components as it pumps life into my veins.
As I take in what I am seeing, my arms begin to light up as the blood flows from my heart into my hands and back again. Then the brain gets lit up next. I notice neurons firing like a mini thunderstorm inside my head.
What the Holy Spirit is asking me to notice in this vision is how perfectly orchestrated the body is, functioning without my knowledge or input on a daily basis. It allows me to breathe, think, and function, staying alive at all times with absolutely zero input from me.
So, if the LORD is in every part of that process, what makes me think he is not in everything I encounter, everyone I speak to, and even how I love my family daily?
We must understand that He has a plan for everything. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have created me to function exactly as we do. He knows, as I write this blog, the very moment when my fingertips are hitting my keyboard. He is acutely aware and has always known that I would pour out the intimate conversation I share with the Holy Spirit onto this website for someone to eventually read it at the right time and that there will be a perfect reaction in the earth, reaching or touching someone to know that He is real and everywhere. This is what he created me to do.
If I am writing this and you are reading this, this is for you. The LORD planned for you to be here.
I have a question for the Holy Spirit, so I move to Step 5.
Step 5: Ask. Seek
The requests/questions that came to mind are:
Holy Spirit, I feel so shameful about the times when I doubt God is hearing or seeing me. How do I stop those intrusive thoughts?
Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive
Here is the answer I received:
“You can’t on your own strength. However, through the power of the Holy Spirit, you can change your narrative and gain a deeper understanding of my ways. You are doing the best you can, and life may make you feel like it is up and down. But this is because you are wrapped in flesh. When you are fully wrapped in spirit, you will be unwavering. It takes time to practice these things. I always have a plan, even when I am quiet. Sometimes, being comfortable in waiting is a lesson in itself. You must not think like a child anymore. But trust my way is the only way. I will lead you to green pastures. Like your verse for today, I will lead you in the way of the everlasting, which is the way I live. I do not know your way, and I will not bend to your need to appease your need for instant gratification when I see the longer-term necessity. Your needs are temporary; my need is eternal. I am the same today, yesterday, and tomorrow. When you were created, I timed you perfectly to do exactly what you are doing now, which is asking for me to lead the way today. I will use you for the Kingdom, so please remain Kingdom-minded and abandon all temporal things. Pay attention to the sacrifice of Jesus, and pick up your cross to follow me. The road may be long, but the reward is great.”
Step 7: Pray. Confirm
Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus.
I ask you to keep my eyes on your eternal ways. Let the flesh fall off of me and let me rely on you to light the way from within. Let me never lose sight of how many things you are orchestrating on my behalf at any given time.
You truly are Alpha and Omega; you knew my beginning and know my end. Keep me in lockstep with you, and let me follow your lead and the wisdom from the Holy Spirit.
Thank you for the sacrifice of your son. Let me pick up my cross as he did for the good of many, and not be selfish in my ways. Examine me and shine a light on any dark places so I can bring them to you, and you can make me complete.
In Jesus' mighty name, I pray and seal this prayer with the blood of Jesus - Amen.
Step 8: Share. Testify
If you used the 8-Step Prayer Practice today, we would love to hear how God works in your life! You can comment below or share your miracle or testimony HERE.
Conclusion:
Friends, as I write this blog, I am thankful from head to toe for the sheer ability to understand how to communicate my experiences with you and others I encounter throughout my day.
Let’s look at all things as a blessing and follow in your footsteps, God, no matter how long the road may be.
Let’s stay in awe of your perfect orchestration over our life from creation to the end and seek you in all things, knowing you already have a plan.
Go in comfort and excitement, friends, that the LORD is with us always and in everything.
God bless you. See you soon!
