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What’s the most important thing God wants you to know - and what will it take for you to really hear it?
Come with me for a moment as I share a profound, unforgettable encounter moment.
It was 2001, and I was half-asleep during an early-morning breakfast devotional at an Urban Saints staff conference. Tired voices did their best to sing the Noel Richards classic…
“To be your presence, to sit at your feet
Where your love surrounds me, and makes me complete.
This is my desire oh Lord, this is my desire.”
And as the room descended into silence once more, I had an experience that I’ve not had before or since.
I had a vision – a daydream, if you will.
I saw something!
In the vision, I was aware that God was sitting on his throne (don’t ask me what He looked like, I was just aware He was on his throne).
And then I saw myself, running past God – to and fro.
And every time I was close to the throne, I drew a breath and simply said ‘Hey God, how are you doing?” and then I’d keep running, to and fro, to and fro, from side to side.
Initially, I thought this looked good.
Impressive!!
I felt pleased with myself.
I was busy for the Kingdom, but I was still checking in with God.
Surely, that's how we should be right?
Especially as leaders.
Busy, but committed to a divine check-in!
Then I heard the voice of the Father say (and I know this all might sound crazy!!!)...
Matt,
Stop
Come here
Kneel at my feet
Rest your head on me
Let me stroke your hair
And whisper in your ear
how much I love you!”
It was an incredible picture of a God who loves intimacy more than anything. He longs to be close to us.
To me.
To you.
God prioritises intimacy more than activity.
It is in these moments of intimacy that we make space to listen to the gentle voice of Heaven, reminding us that we are the beloved - and in the freedom of that love, we experience fresh dreams and direction.
I wish I could say this vision revolutionised my commitment to making space for daily time with God, but my driven nature has made it more difficult than I first imagined. Emails, sermons, reports, 1:1 meetings - each one clamouring for attention, somehow feeling more productive than quiet moments with Jesus. Crazy, I know.
But I haven’t given up.
I'm training, not trying,
To discover the sacred privilege of beginning my day with Him.
And to experience how that intimacy with God reorders everything - so that my leadership is leaning into what bears Kingdom fruit.
This is what we see in Jesus.
A life anchored in the Father’s presence.
Each day shaped not by urgency, but by intimacy.
I want to lead at the pace, and in the peace, of Jesus. Don't you?
I need to!
So I invite you - pause again.
Diarise the habit of His presence.
Essential as a follower and a leader.
Remembering that you are a human being more than a human doing.
And that the deepest invitation is simply this: to be with God.
May you be blessed with the gift of intimacy with the God who gave His very life for you.
And in that stillness, may you hear His gentle whisper:
“I love you, come follow me”
This is one of the foundational themes of the Reboot Your Leadership experience - Leading from a healthy identity in Christ.
Could this be your moment to hit pause on your discipleship and leadership, and join with me and a cohort of Christian leaders?
Click HERE to find out more, and if you use the discount code 22APR20 by Wednesday 22nd April, you'll get 20% on Reboot PLUS.
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