Let Incense Arise

A week ago after Sunday church service, my husband and I drove to Anchorage and took a walk along the inlet.

I don’t know why it’s easier to be completely honest when walking alongside a person rather than sitting across from him or her. Perhaps it’s the lack of eye contact or the beauty of God’s creation surrounding every breath. Either way, I had an honest moment.

“I haven’t opened my Bible in weeks.” I confessed. “Summer has been so busy, and working long days in real estate has taken a toll on me.” Before he could speak I kept going, probably trying to convince myself more than I was trying to convince my husband, all the reasons why I felt so far away from God.

When I stopped talking, my husband did something that he does often—using as few words as necessary, he simply stated, “God hasn’t stepped away from you. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)

Duh.

Everybody knows that.

For a girl who has always felt that acceptance is connected and interwoven with performance, the thought of simply entering the throne of grace with nothing impressive to show for myself—well, I wasn’t sure if I could break through the good girl performance barrier. In my head I knew that my husband was right; but my heart  couldn’t grasp the simplicity of his statement. 

I pondered our conversation.

Yesterday I met with a trusted friend. We sat in my jeep in the rain and prayed together. The presence of the Spirit permeated the jeep reaching into my heart and into the recesses of my soul. 

I did not deserve to be met in such an intimate way; I had done NOTHING to earn the audience of my Father. So I simply surrendered and rested in His presence. Peace replaced confusion. Love replaced fear. Acceptance replaced doubt. 

Who can fathom the depths of His love?  (Eph. 3:16-19)

Sometime during the night I had a dream. In the dream I was still at the feet of the throne. Over and over I sang part of a worship song called Worthy of It All, “Day and night, night and day, let incense arise. Day and night, night and day let incense arise.” 

When I awoke from the dream, my heart was still singing this song in worship. All day, through meetings and appointments, the song is playing within me even while I am functioning in the world around me.

Our prayers, like incense, rise from our hearts to the heavens as a sweet aroma to our Father. Day and night, night and day. Even as we sleep, our prayers…rising like incense. 

He never sleeps nor slumbers (Psalm 121:2). 

His eyes are ever watching —ever beholding each one of us. Even when we have nothing but our bedraggled selves to bring before His presence; He runs to welcome us—His beloved.

The sweet aroma of our prayers brings a smile to His face and joy to His heart. 

We don’t have to understand; we simply need to believe.

“May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” (Psalm 41:2)

Stay the Course…

Sheila