When I first heard this term I almost giggled in scorn… soaking what the heck was that?? I first heard of this when hubby came home one day from a supernatural school he was attending at church and told me with a confused look on his face that they had been told to bring a pillow to church for the next session as they were going to be soaking!! We were both a bit bemused to say the least. Nevertheless hubby did as he was told and duly learned how to soak!! He came home with amazing stories of encountering God in an amazing way and having his hands covered in gold dust. He was astounded – never before had he experienced God in this way or known that he could draw so close to God this way. So soaking has become something we have grown into as a couple and we try to make time to soak. In fact this has become a favourite past time of mine. I feel the need to soak regularly as it is my way of recharging my batteries and being with my heavenly Dad/Jesus/ Holy Spirit ( I can’t really separate them) and I have started having amazing encounters in these times. So if you are still reading after wondering what this crazy lady is on about, this is what soaking is.
Soaking is simply taking the time to quieten yourself down and to lie/sit (whatever comfortable position you can find) in the presence of God aided by Holy Spirit inspired music which may be instrumental or have singing. As you begin to focus on Him and open yourself to His leading and guiding he is able to show you amazing things. Hubby and I have come to realise more and more that as believers we are able to access heavenly realms now while we are on earth. For too long we believed we were humans on the natural earth with a spirit. WRONG!!! We know now that we are supernatural beings/spirits having a natural existence for a period of time. Jesus says that He did only that which He saw the Father doing – how was that possible if He was a man on the earth – well He drew aside and spent time with the Father (He soaked!!) and as He did that so he was able to access heavenly realms and see what the father was doing. Jesus said we would do what He did and more, so nothing He did is off limits to us as believers – in fact we should be doing it. So soaking is simply my spirit connecting with the One who loves me like no other spirit- heart to heart!!
During these times I have had dreams that God has spoken to me in, I have been caught up to places in the spirit where He has just loved me, I have been up in the galaxies looking at the stars, I have sat on Jesus’ lap in the heavens and sometimes I have just felt waves of love washing over me. The last time I soaked (with a group of ladies from church in my home) I felt the heart of God. I saw crumbling buildings and falling bricks. I saw Christchurch ( not a prophetic vision – this was a couple of days after the earthquake) but I saw Jesus watching the devastation and weeping over the broken and grieving. I felt such a burden and compassion for the people in the city. I really felt like Jesus was weeping for His beloved but also for all those who were criticizing and saying that God was judging the city for sin. Clearly they have no concept of who He is. Yes the city was judged, as each of us was, the day Jesus went to the cross. It has been done two thousand years ago – God is not wreaking vengeance on His people – Jesus did it for us once and for all!! I believe that out of this soaking time and encounter that God showed me His heart of love, compassion and absolute devotion to His creation.
Soaking is so personal – just like meat is marinaded in sauce to flavour and tenderise it, so that is what soaking does for our spirits. It brings flavour by the kingdom of heaven invading our spirits so that it overflows into the world we move and live in. That is how we are the salt and the light – not by preaching religious sermons to people or making them feel judged but the kingdom and His glory radiating from us – “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you” (Isaiah 60:1). Soaking tenderises our souls and spirits as we feel accepted, loved by Him as we connect which again overflows to others – we will reach the world with His love, not judgement.
Initially soaking can be difficult as we are always rushing around in this busy world. He loves it when we wait on Him – this is an interactive activity – even waiting is interactive as we seek Him in a place of quiet. Try this: Put on some inspirational music and get comfortable. Close your eyes and quieten your spirit as you focus on Jesus. Thinking of a place you would like to be may help but think on Him, start to whisper sweet words to Him – tell Him what you think of Him. Listen to the music and let your imagination be active. Flow with the spontaneous thoughts and pictures that pop into your mind. Ask Holy Spirit to show you what they mean. The most vital part of soaking is believing that you can hear the voice of God and receiving every thought, picture as a valid encounter. Write down what comes to you so that God can show you more when you next soak or reveal it to you in greater revelation. This becomes easier as you practice the presence of God. The more time you spend in intimacy with Him, the more clearly your spiritual senses will perceive. Like any relationship, time, communication and intimacy are vital for health – so it is with our relationship with Jesus.
Be blessed as you soak! A helpful resource I use is Julie True’s music – she has a website with albums that can be bought as MP3′s for a small cost as well as an online healing room.
