Julie Fillinger

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Enjoying God’s Presence Along the Way

Welcome back, my friends. I truly think of my listeners and readers as friends—people gathering with me over coffee, ice cream, or a quiet moment with the Lord.

Today, I want to share how God changed my perspective. I am learning to enjoy His satisfying presence throughout the journey, not only when I finally reach the destination. That shift changes everything.

Encouraged by Women of Faith

Before we look at that shift, I want to thank you for your enthusiastic response to the Women of Faith series. Each woman who shared her story helped us see what persevering faith looks like in real life.

What stood out most was not only their courage to be vulnerable, but their willingness to share what God was doing in real time. Their stories reminded me that God is never caught off guard by our hard places. He uses them to strengthen faith, deepen compassion, and make us more like Christ.

Learning to Enjoy the Journey with God

Becoming more like Christ often includes hard seasons, but I am learning that God also gives us renewal, rest, and glimpses of heaven along the way. I do not want to be so focused on reaching heaven someday that I miss the evidence of His goodness today.

Recently, I asked the Lord to open my eyes to those glimpses, and I began noticing them everywhere—in creation, in quiet mornings, in unexpected encouragement, and in the way His presence meets me before I even know what I need.

A Marriage, a Mountain, and a Change in Perspective

For years, Eric and I have taken vacation during the week of our anniversary. This year marks 36 years of marriage—36 years of two broken people walking together in the love and grace of God.

Eric loves planning hikes, local restaurants, bookstores, waterfalls, and scenic stops. Over time, we have learned that the destination matters—but so does the journey. That shift has made our vacations better, and it has made our life together richer.

That shift in perspective releases a lot of tension when unexpected surprises inevitably arise.

That same shift matters spiritually. I can be so eager for heaven that I forget to enjoy the nearness of God now. But the Psalms are reminding me that God guides His people through every rise, valley, and turn of the path.

Psalm 73: When God Shifts Our Perspective

Psalm 73 shows us how God changes our perspective. Asaph begins the psalm struggling with envy. He sees arrogant, wicked people prospering and wonders why faithful people suffer while the wicked seem to thrive.

His complaint is honest: Why does it look like rebellion is rewarded while obedience is costly? He does not pretend the question is easy. He brings his confusion to God instead of letting it quietly undermine his faith.

Until He Enters the Sanctuary

Then comes the turning point: Asaph enters the sanctuary of God. Being in God’s presence changes what he can see.

In God’s presence, Asaph discerns the end of the wicked, recognizes the danger of envy, and sees that God has been with him all along. Confession brings clarity. The nearness of God becomes more precious than the appearance of ease.

Confession Brings Clarity

Asaph confesses that his heart had become bitter and his thinking clouded. Once he brings that honestly before the Lord, he can see what had been true all along: God was continually with him, holding him by the hand, guiding him with counsel, and preparing to receive him into glory.

By the end of Psalm 73, Asaph does not merely have an answer; he has worship. He declares that it is good to draw near to God and to make the Lord his refuge.

My Own Shift in Prayer

A couple of years ago, I realized I had become frustrated and spiritually dull. I was not in the pit of grief anymore, but I had begun acting as if I should never have to suffer again.

As Eric and I read through the Psalms, God reminded me how to pray with confession. I began asking Him to examine my heart and show me anything I desired more than Him. As I returned to that rhythm, I began to sense and enjoy His presence again.

The Ultimate Shift That Changed Everything

In the Old Testament, sacrifices had to be offered again and again so a holy God could dwell with His people. But then came the shift that changed all of history forever: Jesus Christ, the perfect sacrifice.

Because Jesus laid down His sinless life and now intercedes for us as our Great High Priest, we can boldly approach God’s throne. We can enter His presence. We can enjoy communion with Him—not someday only, but now.

And because the Holy Spirit dwells in every believer, our bodies are now His temple. Wherever God dwells is home. That means we do not have to wait until the end of the journey to enjoy His presence along the way.

Final Encouragement: Draw Near to God Today

Let’s not get over the miracle of God’s nearness. Let’s tell the world what He has done, remember what it cost for us to enjoy His presence, and draw near to Him today.

We do not have to wait until we reach the destination. We can enjoy God’s presence all along the way, because entering the sanctuary of God is where everything changes.

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