Luke's Story

It is in the moments that I am present, that I experience God’s presence. And for me, it is often in times of solitude with Him. Perhaps it’s the walk in silence through tumbling teal forests, letting Him get me lost in the bluebells before leading me home on unspoken paths. Maybe it’s the pause for breath beside a swollen stream or the grounds of the abbey where thunder threatens and wind whistles toothless around the walls. I realise His presence at the sound of the sunrise as dew starts to floats and meadows begin to stir. It is these moments of solitude with God where my consciousness, so carelessly outsourced to social media, news bulletins and the trappings of western comfort, returns gratefully and penitently to its armchair in God’s house. It is here where I perceive the kindness in His voice again; remember that I am a son and not a slave, retrieve the holy truth buried beneath the hurry of modern life that He is alive and therefore, so am I. 

Alone with Jesus is where I remember that His presence is always with me. I may be flaky and inconsistent but He is not. Recently I had the opportunity for a short solo retreat in Ibiza, a place where He has always met me to talk. From the first night that I pulled up to a remote villa in the hills He was there. In the darkness of the looming pine forest, I felt the peace of His presence as I eventually found the key and let myself in. When the power went off that evening and plunged me into blackness He was there with wisdom as we found the fuse box together. He was with me the next morning as I caught my breath in worship,  watching the mist toppling over the forested mountains. His presence was there as He taught me from the scriptures whilst I drank coffee by the foaming sea, as I swam in empty hot waters that afternoon on the deserted beach He found for me, as I quietly ate and journaled in the cool of the evening on the castle walls of D’Alt Villa. He was there, at every turn in the hire car, every step along the shoreline, every decision along the way, speaking, encouraging, teaching and leading with breathtaking brilliance and grace. In His presence there truly is fullness of joy. And I find it in these moments of solitude, with Him.