Making Space for God
As a Creative, I have immensely enjoyed the writings of Oswald Chambers, himself a creative. I highly recommend using My Utmost for His Highest as a part of any time alone with God, whether you be creative, or not. He really hits the nail on the head…
As servants of God, we must learn to make room for Him-to give God "elbow room." We plan and figure and predict that this or that will happen, but we forget to make room for God to come in as He chooses. Would we be surprised if God came into our meeting or into our preaching in a way we had never expected Him to come? Do not look for God to come in a particular way, but do look for Him. The way to make room for Him is to expect Him to come, but not in a certain way. No matter how well we may know God, the great lesson to learn is that He may break in at any minute. We tend to overlook this element of surprise, yet God never works in any other way. Suddenly— God meets our life ". . . when it pleased God . . . ."
Keep your life so constantly in touch with God that His surprising power can break through at any point. Live in a constant state of expectancy, and leave room for God to come in as He decides.
My Experience with being quiet and spending time with God, is that we have become such a busy culture, that we find it difficult to find the time to spend with God. And so, to make space for God, we have to leave the space for time with God, in our lives, and not let anything creep up to fill in this time. It is a life led by intentionality, planning, and an open handed attitude, palms up – if you will, waiting on God, in His presence, in direct communication, and communion. When you ask him to come be with you, be assured that He will.
At this point, there is quite a dearth of materials written to help an artistic and creative personality develop this time alone with God. Except for materials that I am writing, Don Postema’s book, “Space for God”, is really the only publication that has such a strong way to help Creative people draw closer to God, and I recommend it for yourself, or even a small group. He has written a series of meditative readings and spiritual exercises that will enrich your spiritual journey. The book includes many paintings and artworks, poetry, quotes, and Scripture.
There is a leader’s Guide for anyone able to use it in a group context. See below for this resource for your own time with God, or leading others through, after you use it first. I have enjoyed it very much.
Space for God, by Don Postema
Leader's Guide
And back to My Utmost for His Highest for a moment. Not too many people know that Oswald Chambers went to Art School in College, before he was a Preacher and Pastor. Chambers was one of us, he was just called to a larger ministry. But because he sees many things through that mindset, I have enjoyed his writings, and used My Utmost for His Highest for time alone with God for many years, and so, have cherished a leather bound edition that I use daily at home, a vest pocket leather edition that I travel with, and another hard cover edition, as well as the updated version. And I listen to it on Audio as well, when driving…I even keep spare copies around to give away to people…
My point is, that if you buy a copy, plan on buying one that you can use for many years to come… here is a link for the Leather bound version on Amazon, it’s worth the search to find yourself a good copy for your life’s growth.
My Utmost for His Highest leather bound edition
My Utmost for His Highest
Oswald Chambers
January 25
Leave Room for God
When it pleased God . . . — Galatians 1:15
Oswald Chambers
January 25
Leave Room for God
When it pleased God . . . — Galatians 1:15
As servants of God, we must learn to make room for Him-to give God "elbow room." We plan and figure and predict that this or that will happen, but we forget to make room for God to come in as He chooses. Would we be surprised if God came into our meeting or into our preaching in a way we had never expected Him to come? Do not look for God to come in a particular way, but do look for Him. The way to make room for Him is to expect Him to come, but not in a certain way. No matter how well we may know God, the great lesson to learn is that He may break in at any minute. We tend to overlook this element of surprise, yet God never works in any other way. Suddenly— God meets our life ". . . when it pleased God . . . ."
Keep your life so constantly in touch with God that His surprising power can break through at any point. Live in a constant state of expectancy, and leave room for God to come in as He decides.
+ + +
You can’t make space for God,
unless you intentionally leave space for God.
unless you intentionally leave space for God.
My Experience with being quiet and spending time with God, is that we have become such a busy culture, that we find it difficult to find the time to spend with God. And so, to make space for God, we have to leave the space for time with God, in our lives, and not let anything creep up to fill in this time. It is a life led by intentionality, planning, and an open handed attitude, palms up – if you will, waiting on God, in His presence, in direct communication, and communion. When you ask him to come be with you, be assured that He will.
At this point, there is quite a dearth of materials written to help an artistic and creative personality develop this time alone with God. Except for materials that I am writing, Don Postema’s book, “Space for God”, is really the only publication that has such a strong way to help Creative people draw closer to God, and I recommend it for yourself, or even a small group. He has written a series of meditative readings and spiritual exercises that will enrich your spiritual journey. The book includes many paintings and artworks, poetry, quotes, and Scripture.
There is a leader’s Guide for anyone able to use it in a group context. See below for this resource for your own time with God, or leading others through, after you use it first. I have enjoyed it very much.
Space for God, by Don PostemaLeader's Guide
And back to My Utmost for His Highest for a moment. Not too many people know that Oswald Chambers went to Art School in College, before he was a Preacher and Pastor. Chambers was one of us, he was just called to a larger ministry. But because he sees many things through that mindset, I have enjoyed his writings, and used My Utmost for His Highest for time alone with God for many years, and so, have cherished a leather bound edition that I use daily at home, a vest pocket leather edition that I travel with, and another hard cover edition, as well as the updated version. And I listen to it on Audio as well, when driving…I even keep spare copies around to give away to people…
My point is, that if you buy a copy, plan on buying one that you can use for many years to come… here is a link for the Leather bound version on Amazon, it’s worth the search to find yourself a good copy for your life’s growth.
My Utmost for His Highest leather bound edition
posted by Paul Kiler at 4:02 PM
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