When I listen with just my ears, my heart can be ten thousand miles away. Just ask my grandchildren. They know the difference.
“Bam, LOOK!” they demand until I turn my face toward the block structure, the moth in the jar, or the crayoned masterpiece. A woman on a mission, I need words tattooed on my brain:
“Value people over projects!”
“Pay attention!”
The continual task of rejecting distraction as a way of life has all the makings of a part-time job in 2024. However, in turning my face toward those I love, I assure them of my full presence with them. When he wrote Psalm 139, David knew that he had God’s unwavering attention at all times and in all places:
Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Psalm 139:7
Or where shall I flee from your presence?”
I’m no Hebrew scholar, but those who are claim that the word “presence” could equally well be translated as the word “face.” Where shall I flee from your face, Lord? That’s a double-edged sword, for sure, offering comfort to the righteous and terror to anyone who is fleeing from God.
Today, I am finding not only comfort but also solid reassurance that, with all my inattentive ways and chronic distraction, when I manage to turn my face toward God, God has already turned toward me. I provide a small tutorial on the character of God for my children and my grandchildren if and when they find me attentive to and interested in their words and their ways.
I provide a small tutorial on the character of God for my children and my grandchildren if and when they find me attentive to and interested in their words and their ways.
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God’s face, turned toward my face, is nothing less than a miracle. He created the universe and has solar systems to run on schedule, and yet he is not an impersonal God. He has declared himself as a loving God who seeks a relationship with you and me.
Find Your True Purpose
And here is the biggest miracle of all: When I turn my face toward him, when I enter into relationship with our relational God, I find my true purpose in life.
Are you looking for a solid purpose for your life? Jesus Christ has made it possible for you to read Psalm 139:7 with a heart full of joy rather than dread because he “has suffered once for sin, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God!”
When you take the gift of his righteousness, you also receive the gift of his presence:
Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Psalm 139:7
Or where shall I flee from your presence?”
Find your true purpose by turning your face toward the God whose face is perpetually turned toward you.
Find your true purpose by turning your face toward the God whose face is perpetually turned toward you.
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And Now Let’s Talk Books…
Leaning on Air affirms my settled opinion that fiction has the power to teach and inspire the reader without diluting for one minute the magic of the story. Cheryl Grey Bostrom’s character-driven work produced a much-loved cast in the award-winning Sugar Birds, and now Celia and Burnaby have been married for ten years.
Their careers are flourishing, but sadness lurks around the fringes of their happy relationship. When it comes crashing into centerstage, anguish sends them in different directions, threatening their bond. Readers in faltering and floundering marriages will find a breath of hope in this tale of restoration.
Descriptions of the beautiful Pacific Northwest expose Bostrom’s roots as a naturalist, photographer, poet, and ardent believer that “the natural world illustrates the spiritual one.” Gospel undertones enrich without detracting for God is portrayed as relational. He is “the Entangler,” the Rescuer, and he is active in this story—just as he is active in all our stories.
Holding You in the Light,
Leaning on Air by @cheryl_bostrom affirms my settled opinion that fiction has the power to teach and inspire the reader without diluting for one minute the magic of the story. @TyndaleHouse #newfiction
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On the third Thursday of every month, I send a newsletter with biblical encouragement straight to my subscribers’ email inboxes. Frequently, I share free resources, and the newsletter is where everything lands first. I’m committed to the truth that women can become confident followers of God and students of his Word, and I want to help you along that path.
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You’ll receive a welcome letter to confirm your subscription and monthly encouragement in your email inbox.
Looking for Challenging Devotional Reading that Encourages You to Seek Intimacy with God Every Day?
As you know, I’m committed to the truth that women can become confident followers of God and students of his Word, and it’s my goal to help you along that path. At Living Our Days, I provide biblical content and resources to encourage biblical literacy and faithful living, and now I’m sharing devotional content on the YouVersion app. Visit my profile page to get free access to the reading plans!
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees. If you should decide to purchase any of the books or products I’ve shared, simply click on the image, and you’ll be taken directly to the seller. If you decide to buy, I’ll receive a few pennies at no extra cost to you.
Many thanks to Tyndale House and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.
Living Our Days 
Love your thoughts Michele, and boy do I need to remember to stay present!!! I’m always lost in my head….
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I get lost in my head, too, Donna. It’s a busy place, isn’t it!? Thanks be to God for reminders that there’s a whole world going on outside and we need to be responding to it!
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I also need the reminders of people over projects. I was just reminding myself this morning that the people under my roof (plus the ones who have moved out but still spend time here) are my main ministry.
I’ve often been stopped by verses about God’s face or countenance, That would make a good study sometime. What a blessed thought that we’ll never find Him inattentive or distracted or too busy for us.
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“Under my roof”
Absolutely true, and so easy to lose sight of!
And I agree that it would be a very good subject for a study.
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I need these words tattooed on my brain too: “Value people over projects.” I know it’s true, I just tend to get too caught up in my to-do lists. Remembering our true purpose definitely can keep us aligned though!
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Yes! Purpose is key, and it does help us to remain plugged in to God’s priorities.
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This is a wonderful lesson Michele. May we find our true purpose by turning our faces toward the God whose face is perpetually turned toward us indeed. It’s so comforting knowing he keeps his face perpetually turned towards me.
Visiting today from Maree’s
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Yes, this is hugely comforting and also a challenge to me as I serve the people I love.
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Psalm 139 is one of my favorites, affirming that God knows each of us as individuals. He’s watching over us, protecting, guiding, and holding us fast. Each person is made unique–and what an amazing creation human beings are! He’s even created personalized life-plans for each of us. And though we may not be thinking of him all the time, he’s thinking of us. Just as you say, Michele, these realities (among others) are MIRACLES! Praise God for his gracious involvement in our lives.
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It’s so reassuring to remember that our Lord is continually attentive, never distracted, and never passive in his commitment to our good.
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