From and thru

You might think of your devotional, relational time with God in three ways:

1. the minutes-a-day quiet time
2. the 'red zone' long-form relaxed time in his presence (see previous post)
3. and the moment-to-moment sensitivity to him and his leadership as you go thru a day

That third one is like a lifestyle habit of this sub-surface conversation with him.  It's along the lines where the Bible says to keep in step with the Spirit, and do not grieve the Spirit, and "apart from Me you can do nothing."  When you're with your spouse or someone you love, and you're doing something together, you're sensitive to them and their presence and desires.  Same thing.  Except this spouse created you and owns you and died for you and knows everything that's going on and how you fit in and why -- which can be a little extra motivation.

All this is a big part of the quality of your relationship with him.  And the quality of your service to him and others (ministry) is directly related to the quality of your relationship with him.

I am the vine; you are the branches.  Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing -- John 15.5