Enjoying Jesus

Equipping

Aug 25

Written By Andrea Portilla

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At the beginning of the year as I was reflecting and praying the Lord whispered into my heart, “What if you simply enjoyed me this year.”

I began to think and wonder what that meant. How does one enjoy Jesus?

As I began to pray and flip through my bible curious about these words, I found myself in John 15, one of my favorite passages in scripture. And I laughed because, these words have been my greatest desire as a Christ follower.

“I have loved you even as the father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments you remain in my live, just as I obey my fathers commandments and remain in his ove. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow. ”

— John 15:9-11

Remain, abide and dwell.

“This is how we Enjoy Jesus: We love him, we abide in him, we remain with him and our joy becomes complete with Him. ”

How my heart desires to be in God’s presence. To find rest for my weariness and get away with him, dwelling in the shadow of the almighty. This is why I sit in John 15 and hold tight to the words of Jesus and desire everyone to hear them and study them and understand the depths of Christ’s love and desire for us to really know how to abide.

This is how we Enjoy Jesus: We love him, we abide in him, we remain with him and our joy becomes complete with Him.

It all sounds great…but practically…How do I do this? How do I enjoy Jesus?

Get to know your Enneagram number

I am a 4 to the very core. (I didn’t mean for that to rhyme but see…my fourness comes out even so!) I am a romantic, an individualist, a lover of beauty. In my weakness I hustle, I compare myself to others, I run instead of amble. Why understand at your enneagram? Because this will remind you of what you enjoy and from there you can think about how your innermost person enjoys life and Jesus.

If I want to enjoy my Jesus, it cannot be a to do list. If I want to enjoy Jesus it has to be aesthetically pleasing. If I want to enjoy Jesus it cannot be on a timetable. Maybe you are an 8 and if you want to enjoy Jesus, perhaps it needs to be in the early morning before the crazy has begun and you move in mercy, especially toward yourself. Or maybe you are a 2 who needs to say yes to what she enjoys only and not what she thinks she should do.

2. What naturally brings you Joy?

Beautiful things bring me joy. Sunsets and nature, water, a good cup of coffee, flowers and yummy candles. I know that I enjoy my time with Jesus, or with anyone for that matter, when I am nestled in beauty. Even if I simply light a candle and sit with my bible open, I find so much grace in the simplicity of joy.

3. Find Joy in your desire

“I realized that to truly enjoy Jesus in this season was to remove all the boxes.”

I do not like having to check boxes. I do it, because I have to get things done sometimes. But when it comes to getting away with Jesus, writing ‘Read your Bible’ on a list bothers me. Remember, I am a 4 and want to be unique. I realized that to truly enjoy Jesus in this season was to remove all the boxes. I am not reading my bible according to any plan and I am not on a time table. If I want to read one verse and remain in that one verse, I will. If I want to eat the entire book of Judges in one afternoon, I will. I find some much joy in the desire.

4. Breath Prayers, always

As always, I find myself Breathless, communicating with God as if He is washing dishes with me. I enjoy being in his presences and His presence is with me always; while I disciple my kids or clean the kitchen or fold laundry. I share my hearts and desires, not as requests but just simple conversation. I roll my eyes at my children and think, Jesus, are you hearing this? Deal with it please! I look around at all that I have, the beauty He allows me to be a part of, and I give Him praise with a smile and a sigh of gratitude.

I am enjoying Jesus in the little things of life and it is these simple pleasures that reflect His love for me everyday. How can you Enjoy Jesus today?

Begin the life of abiding in Him and let Him complete your joy.