(Ephesians 1:3-6) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.  For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.  In love he predestined us for adoption to son-ship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will – to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the one he loves.

(Romans 8:10, The Message) But for you who welcome him, in whom he dwells – even though you still experience all the limitations of sin – you yourself experience life on God’s terms.

I have often chastised myself for not being closer to God, but if God lives in me, I’ve recognized that it’s impossible to get closer to God.  So I conclude that what I’m lacking is an awareness of God’s closeness.  He’s there; I’m just not paying attention.

I’m working on a routine to keep myself aware of his presence.  When I awake in the morning, I say good morning Father, and I spend a few minutes thanking him for the various aspects of my life and for his grace and mercy.  From there I go to my chair and read a devotional page from My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers.  Then I continue reading the book of Scriptures that I’ve currently chosen concluding with a time of Prayer.  During the day, I find Christian music keeps me attuned to his presence.

Doesn’t this sound like a great plan?  It works to some extent, but my lack of consistency often disrupts the plan.  The important truth in all of this is that God’s love for me does not waver. 

Plan or no plan, I’m still his.  He chose me to be his from the very beginning, and nothing will change this fact.  He is always close to me, and I’m working on keeping an awareness of his closeness.