Come and Sit with Me for a While

“You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.” —Psalm 16:11

Our Bible discussion among internationals was winding down for the evening. Just in our little breakout group alone were people originating from Ghana, Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau, China, and even two from Michigan. Now it was time to share our prayer requests. One by one they poured out from full hearts—deep desires for faithfulness, hope, healing, strength, stamina, and direction, some of these for ourselves and some for others. When it was her turn, one young woman—we’ll call her Michelle for purposes of this post—prefaced her plea, explaining to us, “Sometimes I will say to God, ‘I don’t have a prayer [right now], but can you come and sit with me for a while?’ I find it calming and freeing.” Her prayer? She wanted more of this. And in that humble moment, we all did. For this was relationship—the Creator and the created, together.

It is good simply to be in the presence of God—resting in His love, trusting in His care, and enjoying His being. David longed for such nearness, expressing his desire through lyrics, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?”¹ Likewise, God desires us to draw near and just be with Him, such as the time when Jesus and His disciples were so busy in ministry that they didn’t even have a chance to eat. “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest,” He told them, so “they went away by themselves . . . to a quiet place.”² Jesus and His friends, just being together.

The 17th century mathematician, physicist, philosopher, and theologian Blaise Pascal once opined, “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” If this is true, then here is some good news for humanity and its problems: we don’t have to sit anywhere alone. Take a moment today—now, if you can—and sit quietly with God. Enjoy His presence, knowing He enjoys yours—the Creator and the created, Jesus and His friends, God and you, together.

But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. —Psalm 73:28

Jesus, come and sit with me for a while. In Your presence may I find freedom and calm. Amen.

¹ Psalm 42:1-2
² Mark 6:31-32