TIME ALONE WITH GOD

Latrice Pace

Have you ever seen a couple and thought, "Wow, they look like siblings?" If given the opportunity to spend a little time with them, you may find that not only do they look alike, they think and act alike.

They speak the same language, have the same purpose, visions and goals. They are simply in sync. They have found their "rhythm" if you will. I witnessed 36 of the 52 year my parents were married (until death he did part) and they made it a priority to serve, learn, get to know and spend time with one another.

It may have even taken them a few years of many trials and errors, but the result was incredible harmony.

Ephesians 5:25 admonishes husbands to go all out in their love for their wives, exactly as Christ has done for us. A love marked by giving, not getting. Christ's love for us makes us whole and so should a husband's love toward his wife. His words should evoke her beauty.

Everything He does and says is designed to bring out the best in her which is to his advantage since they are one, striving for that harmony. Our fellowship with God is parallel to the marital relationship. The more time we spend with Him, the more we become the mirror image of Him. We will begin to think, act and speak like Him.

Spending time with God should never a task or chore. It's not the next bullet on your to do list or a quick consult when you're either in distress or looking for answers. Our time with Him is our existence. It's where we receive instruction, get clarity and direction.

It gives us the opportunity to know Him and become of like mind. We become aligned with His will, His purpose and His plan for our lives. Our time with him teaches us to love unreservedly. It heals the wounds of our past and makes us whole.

His words spoken during our time alone affirms and builds confidence while at the same time demolishing fear and inferiority. It establishes trust so we can undoubtedly know His character and rest boldly in His abilities. It disconnects us from confusion, frustration and our daily emotional roller coasters. It gives us access to His peace and puts us in the calm of it all.

Our time with God exposes our hidden motives, impure hearts, and personal agendas, which help keep us in a place of humility, thereby bringing us all to repentance that we may experience 'the refreshing from His presence' (Acts 3:19).



Latrice A. Pace, longtime member of Gospel group, The Pace Sisters. Latrice was recently featured in Tyler Perry's What's Done In The Dark, as well as the stage musical play, Jesus Christ Superstar Gospel. She has performed with and contributed background vocals for many of today's most popular gospel artists.