I've made several attempts to write this week...to no avail. Christmas is my favorite time of year, but it also requires a little more of my time: to bake, fellowship with loved ones, and to snuggle up with my youngest son and watch movies. My friend, Carrie, has a son who used to refer to those moments as "cuddle-uh-zations." Don't you love that?

I was going to write early this morning, but I found myself sitting in front of my fireplace with two adorable labs at my feet and my Bible in my lap. I sang, I prayed, I read, I listened, I napped. I guess you could say that God and I had a "cuddle-uh-zation." 

When I encourage you to go deeper, you can rest assured that God continues to tap me on the shoulder and take me deeper too. And in the midst of everything wonderful about the Christmas season, He did just that this morning.

I often pray that God will expand my territory in ministry. Today He led me to Isaiah 26:15;

"You have increased the nation, O Lord, You have increased the nation; You are glorified; You have expanded all the borders of the land."

Beautiful isn't it? But once again, God is showing me that before physical territory can be expanded, the territory in our hearts must first be expanded by Him. For me, going deeper is always uncomfortable. But I am willing to follow the Savior and I pray that you are too. We're in this together!

How about you? Has God tapped you on the shoulder and asked you to spend more time alone with Him? You may not be praying to cover more territory in ministry, but maybe you would like to be more effective in your workplace or in personal relationships. If you feel in your spirit that it's time to be still, then He will bless your obedience.

Often times, we want the blessing, but we aren't willing to take the time it requires with Him to be prepared to receive it. We must ask Him to prioritize each day, allowing for time alone with Him. I know it's challenging. Last night I missed a dinner party that I was really looking forward to. The sitter got sick and no one else was available. I could have gone without my husband, but I didn't have peace about it. So I stayed home and realized how much we needed to be home last night. (Of course, God already knew that!)

But it is written:

"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of
man,
The things which God has
prepared for those who love
Him."

But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. (1 Corinthians 2:9-10 NKJV)