Do you ever talk too much? I do. I go on and on, only to tell myself later, “Geez Rebecca, less is best!” 

Can anyone relate? 

I had trouble staying focused as I got busier this year, writing my manuscript for SEEN: Experiencing God’s Tenderness After Brokenness. I knew there was no way I could come alongside my Purpose-Maker and write this book without my spirit firmly grounded in Him. 

I realized I was entering God’s presence with my motor mouth setting on high. I spent so much time talking and nearly no time listening, beholding, and admiring my Father. 

It was time for a reset in my prayer life. 

Do not misunderstand what I am saying, friends. We need to talk to God about our lives, and He loves it when we bring our questions, concerns, and emotions to Him. 

1 Peter 5:7 says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

It’s important to know that God wants to hear from us, but do we take a moment to button up our mouths long enough to listen to Him? What if I told you that the key to fulfillment, purpose, and lasting joy in your day-to-day lies in the simple act of beholding God?

Beholding God is more than just a casual glance or a passing thought; it’s a profound and intimate encounter with the Creator of the universe. It’s about fixing our gaze upon Him, seeking His face, and drawing near to Him in our daily lives and moments of devotion.

In 2 Corinthians 3:18, the apostle Paul beautifully captures this transformative process, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

When we behold God, something extraordinary happens. We are slowly changed and transformed into His image. It’s like looking into a mirror and beginning to see His likeness staring back at us, instead of our own reflection. 

How can we cultivate the practice of beholding God in our daily lives?

Prioritizing quiet time with Christ is where we begin. Dedicating time to pray, read the bible, worship, and meditate helps us connect to the heart of God. But some of this time must be spent in silence with God. I realized this was hard because my mind was packed with words, writing ideas, my to-do list, and much more. My thoughts were racing during my quiet time, and I could not bring my brain to a hush.

I asked God, “Speak to me, give me a word, or just let me sense your presence, Lord.”

At first, it was quiet. I would sit in silence and meditate. As the weeks and months went on, I noticed my spirit was different, lighter, more joyful – no matter what was happening around me. I began visualizing the Lord sitting with me. I thought about what it might be like to catch a glimpse of His sandals. When I said something, I expressed admiration and awe for the God of the universe. All I wanted was to be with God, to love Him, and let Him love me back. 

Many of us have become so transactional with God. We always seek an answer, a feeling, or an emotion. We need to shift our perspective and instead go into the secret place excited and expectant to just be with Him, to sit in the mystery of who He is. 

In his book Beholding, Strahan Coleman puts it this way: “Beholding prayer restructures our relationship with God from a working partnership to a divine friendship.”

Beholding God is not a one-time event or an overnight accomplishment; it’s a lifelong journey. As we continue to seek Him with all our hearts, we will experience the transformation of our lives. The more we behold God, the more we become like Him, radiating His love and light to a world in desperate need. Beholding our Creator helps us to marinate in the sweet fragrance of His presence. 

So, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), and in doing so, find the true purpose, joy, and fulfillment that can only come from beholding the beauty of our loving and gracious God.