SETTLING FOR BRACHS

2 CHRONICLES 7:1-2 WHEN SOLOMON HAD FINISHED PRAYING, FIRE CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN AND CONSUMED THE BURNT OFFERING AND THE SACRIFICES; AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD FILLED THE TEMPLE 2 AND THE PRIESTS COULD NOT ENTER THE HOUSE OF THE LORD BECAUSE THE GLORY OF THE LORD HAD FILLED THE LORD’S HOUSE.

Several years ago, I befriended a woman from Belgium.  Returning from a trip home, she brought me a small box of authentic Belgian Chocolates.  They were indescribably delicious; the type of chocolate that you eat in small bites, allowing the chocolate to melt in your mouth and excite your taste buds with its sweet smoothness.  In the years since the last bite was consumed, I’ve eaten a lot of chocolate, from Brach’s to Godiva, but I’ve never found anything to compare to the chocolate from Belgium and I still dream of some day experiencing that chocolatey goodness again.  I probably never will because I AM NOT WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE to have a box shipped to the middle of Michigan.

Have you ever been in a gathering of the People of God when the heaviness of God’s Spirit actually descended and filled the room?  A Holy hush stills voices and even the cries of babies.  Knees are bent, tears flow and hands are raised as worship begins to ascend heavenward.  Music is set aside, sermons are forgotten, dinner plans are set aside because you are “tasting” the authentic Presence of God.

Psalms 42:1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for you, O God.

Oh you will attend other worship services; there will be beautiful music that will draw you Heavenward; you will hear inspiring sermons that challenge and inspire you to change but you will NEVER FORGET that indescribably awesome encounter with the Shekinah Presence of God.  You will talk about it, dream about it and always long to experience it, at least once again in this life.

God desires to come down rest in the midst of His people; we desire to experience His awesome Presence, but TOO OFTEN WE ARE NOT WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE that His Presence requires.

We have settled for the “chocolate” left in our box because we are hungry for a taste of chocolate and the leftovers don’t require a whole lot of effort.  We have plans, there are schedules to be met, the pastor has a sermon prepared, and the roast is timed to be done at Noon.  What about the Sunday School teachers and kids?  What if there are visitors?  What if they get bored and never come back?  What if an encounter with God convicts me, changes me and I have to turn away from my personal desires?  Oh, you can count on that happening!

BUT, WHAT IF… you could once more “taste” the genuine Presence of the Lord?   WHAT IF….you could have your first encounter with heaviness of the Holy Spirit?  Are you willing to pay the price?  Are you willing to forget about YOUR plans, set YOUR sermon aside, turn the clock to the wall and linger in worship until He fills your heart and His Presence fills the room?

Don’t settle for Brach’s when you can savor Callebaut.