To connect and be close to God is really the most natural thing in the world. Unfortunately, religion has often made it complicated and un-natural.  Here is just one of five simple ways you can use to bring an extraordinary God into your ordinary day.

Meeting God where your wild beasts roam

Have you ever noticed what happens when you’re all alone… when it gets quiet… when there is nothing to distract you?  Often times, that’s when the “wild beasts” appear.

These ‘beasts’ are the things we would rather not deal with… un-healed hurts… past negative conversations that prick your ego…reminders of past failures… current lack… or anticipated need.

When most of us feel these beasts lurking, we immediately try to distract ourselves because we get fearful or uncomfortable with the feelings they stir up. Stop right there. That is exactly the place, that uncomfortable, fearful, anxious moment, where God is.

Mark 1:12-13  “At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

Apparently, when Jesus was in the desert, He ran into some wild animals.  This is actually a powerful metaphor for what we face in our own lives.  But notice who else was with him… the angels, God’s messengers attended him.

Wherever you find wild beasts you’ll also find angels.  

• Wild beasts seek to steal from you.
• Angels seek to support you.
• Wild beasts are dark and negative.
• Angels are light and positive.
• Wild beasts are stressful, unhealthy vices that do stupid.
• Angels are peaceful, healthy wise virtues.
• Wild beasts represent our ego, our small-self kingdom.
• Angels represent our God-self, the greater kingdom of God.
• Wild beasts are temporary. Angels are eternal.

The promise of God is that when you face the wild beasts, you can actually ‘be with them’ and notice them without becoming best friends with them.

So expect those feelings, memories you’d rather not have. Go ahead and feel them. Whenever they creep into camp remember the divine is present too, holding and protecting you… even when you can’t hold on to or protect yourself.

Some of our wild beasts are shame, fear, and guilt.

Your angels in those moments are things like God’s total love for you as you are; God’s peace for you in His provision; and God’s joy for you in the purpose for which you’ve been created.

Practice this simple, yet unexpected means of meeting God, several different times, and see if connecting with Him doesn’t become far simpler and more natural.

Being with God and the beasts:

Try this practice now or in the morning.

Pause for a moment to stir your awareness.  What wild beasts have you experienced today?  Shame, fear, or guilt?  What angel of God can you also be aware of right now?  The angel of God’s love for you, as you are? The angel of God’s peace for you in His provision?  The angel of God’s joy for you in the purpose for which you’ve been created?

For, at least, one minute mute your phone.  Close your eyes to block out the distractions.

Now, internally see the loud, compulsive rage of the “beast” and the corresponding quiet, powerful presence of God’s “angel.”  God is there with you and them. Look at the beast.  See it?  Feel it?  Now ‘look’ just above it. Experience God with you right there.

Try whispering, “I didn’t realize you were right here as well, Lord.  Still my mind and heart with your presence.”  Now be silent for one minute.  Whenever distracting thoughts come to you, just whisper to yourself: “You’re right here.”

Additional Resources:

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Also, next week we’ll be making available for purchase a pre-release copy of our new book: “Nothing To Prove: Stop striving, pleasing, controlling & Start living the life God gave you to live.” This book will provide you with further ways of meeting an extraordinary God in your ordinary day and taming your wild beasts.  If you’d like to join the waiting list for this pre-release then CLICK HERE.