Last night, I spent several hours trying to start the book entitled, “Face to Face with God” by Bill Johnson, for what must have been at least the fourth or fifth time.

I picked the book up last Fall, when a gang of us were at a conference where Bill was speaking, and with Eric’s own personal recommendation.

I have to admit it really sounded like something I could devour at the time, but no matter how I tried, I just couldn’t seem to absorb the first few chapters of it. I would read it, set the book down, and then have no clue what I just read. It was therefore easily set aside, and another one would get picked up in its’ place.

In sharing my recent journeying revelations with some close friends, they kept asking me if I had ever read or heard of the book. It was becoming clearer and clearer over time, that He wanted me to take hold of something that could be found in between its’ numbered pages.

I simply needed to sit down and read it. So, once more, I plopped down with the purposed intent to devour its contents. Finally, I was starting to get into it… and that was when it happened.

I lost the book…. Sigh.

Some books are just like that. Sometimes you will just realize that you are not in the right headspace at that exact moment, for it. Then you will pick it up a month later, and it turns out to be absolutely riveting!

Yesterday, I was overjoyed, to stumble across it again, after weeks of searching for it – and I guess it must be where I am right now, because last night, I was totally absorbing everything my eyes were resting upon. As I was walking through the pages that journeyed Bill’s own pursuit of God’s presence, even the simple words became engaging.

I had put on The River’s “Knowing You” compact disk, which happens to be my current and favourite instrumental-worship cd, and curled up on the sofa. Sunk down in its’ plump, overstuffed cushions, with the music softly playing in the background… I was lost … “Face to Face with God”.

Oblivious to the activities going on around me and deeply engrossed in the book, I hadn’t even noticed the passage of time. My other “honorary” son, who I have loved since infancy, had let himself into the house during the late hour, while I was reading. He had walked past me, in order to join my son and my hubby to watch a movie. Seeing that I was deep in concentration with something, he didn’t want to disturb me. He also didn’t want to be bothered trying to switch the lights on-and-off in that part of the house either; and since he knows it well enough to wander around in the dark, he just quietly tip-toed through and joined the others… and never said a word.

However, being the impish kid he is, when he came down to get his backpack, he thought it was an opportune moment to sneak up behind me and whisper a bassy-sounding “BOO!” into my ear.

He had given my guys a heads-up advance warning of his brewing plans. And let’s just say I cooperated nicely with it when I screamed!

I had been ambushed!

Let me assure you, the poor kid almost had his own “Face to Face With God” encounter! (Lol)

Of course, it is also not necessary to tell you that all you could hear was the three of them howling with laughter, and “high-fiving” his successful mission… now fully accomplished!

Personally, I don’t think it is very fair to do that to a woman who has a hearing problem. Sigh.

All kidding aside, I mustered a blog revelation in my flustered state… after my heart-rate returned to normal, that is.

Ironically, I read afterwards that one of the theme points noted on the back cover of the book is “How to “set up an ambush” for God, rather than just waiting on God”. In other words, ust like my other kid had “ambushed” me with such gusto, we too should be desiring to sneak up and surprise God with our own undivided attention!

Engrossed and distracted with all the things that are keeping us busy, even in what appears to be good, it is possible to totally miss that direct encounter, “Face to Face with God”, as He passes through the room!

Certainly, pursuing passionately, His presence, and looking for Him daily in the everyday moments – all while “being alert at all times” – would certainly help!

Think of how a parent reaches down and places their hands on both sides of their little one’s face to ensure a focus takes place in communication… Can’t you imagine our Heavenly Father doing the same to His children? Can you picture Him pressing in close to capture your face in His hands… purely in order to communicate with you, and you alone?

Truly, nothing has power like a conversation that takes face-to-face!

At times it is powerful, purposed, and passionate! At other times, it may be seasoned with confession, confrontation, and remorse.

Accountability rises, and character and integrity is tested and challenged.

How about you?

Are you watching… and waiting… for an encounter… “Face to Face with God”?