Tarrying in God: A Journey of Transformative Spiritual Growth

As I sit in a women’s Christian meeting, the speaker passionately discusses the concept of ‘tarrying in God.’ Her words transported me back to my youth, where I distinctly recall the eagerness with which we approached the altar in hopes of feeling the touch of the Holy Spirit. Many evenings were spent in fervent prayer and tearful supplication as we pleaded, ‘Oh God, I need to hear from you.’ The altars overflowed with individuals earnestly seeking the Lord’s presence. We were unwavering in our commitment to remain there until we received a divine response, relentlessly striving to encounter God.

Reaching this point was not swift; it was a journey characterized by perseverance and determination. On numerous occasions, we found ourselves spending late nights in the house of the Lord, with the clock striking past midnight before we would eventually depart. During these moments, we eagerly awaited to hear from God, recognizing the paramount importance of His presence in our lives. Our longing for His touch and insatiable thirst for His guidance were palpable. We were keenly aware that God was seeking individuals whose hearts were genuinely aflame with an unyielding hunger and thirst for Him. This journey, though challenging, was transformative, shaping us into the faithful individuals we are today.

This reminded me of the verse in Deuteronomy 4:29 (NIV), But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him with all of your heart and soul. In those days, the church hungered and eagerly awaited upon the Lord.

I am not stating that we no longer wish to seek God as fervently as we did in the past. However, how often do we find ourselves seated in the pews of our churches, passively absorbing a brisk sermon, filling the air with our voices in song, and yearning for the service to conclude promptly? Are we present out of a sense of duty, simply adhering to what we’ve been instructed to do? Do we approach God with the expectation of ‘I’ve devoted my time at church; now it is your turn to heed my request.’ Rather than reserving space for God only when we are in need or because we feel obliged, let’s take an active role in forging a more profound connection with Him. Within this deliberate connection, we will encounter genuine spiritual growth of the deepest kind.

“It is essential for the church to prioritize drawing closer to God. James 4:8(NKJV) emphasizes the powerful promise that as we draw near to God, He will also draw near to us. God desires to have a personal, intimate relationship with us and reveal profound and magnificent things to us. However, this connection requires time and dedication on our part. We must approach God with intense longing and genuine hunger for His presence. Our pursuit of God should be wholehearted, as He promises to fill an empty vessel to overflowing. In a world where instant gratification is the norm, God waits for those willing to prioritize meaningful time with Him over the fast-paced lifestyle we have come to embrace.”

“Will we be the chosen vessels for God’s work? Will we heed the call to patiently wait upon the Lord and seek His direction? The decision rests upon us, for God seeks individuals whose hearts blaze with genuine passion for Him. Today is the pivotal moment when we can deliberately cultivate a relentless craving and longing for the magnificent and transformative presence of the Almighty God.”