We all face it. I mean, is it not just a fact of life now? You have to go from school or work to a family event or sports competition, get home late, have to clean up around the house... and the list goes on. Everyday seems like life is getting to be busier than the day before. When do we have time to rest, or relax at a beautiful beach like this? To spend with family? Friends?
More importantly, when do we have time to spend with our Savior? Do we even make time, or is that the LAST thing on our mind in the chaos? Is He a priority in our lives?
He should be of utmost importance-- constantly on our minds. He should be the first thing we think of in the morning, the first one we run to when times get tough. He wants to be first no matter your circumstances, but especially in trials. He KNOWS what we are going through. Jesus was once a human, too, remember? Our Savior faced this world and its deadly temptations head-on; He did it flawlessly. Without blemish or flaw. How incredible is that!
Regardless of where we are in life, our age, current economic or emotional circumstances, we are all called to be in awe and in constant worship of our Creator. Every day we should desire to find a time of seclusion. To do what we were commanded: "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10 ESV) Yes, we are called to be in constant worship. But also, we are called to be still.
Just think about that word for a moment. Still. Do we even know how to be still anymore? Is that even an English term? As Webster Dictionary defines stillness: being free from commotion, people, or sounds; remaining in place or at rest. Wow. Without distractions, noises, people, and commotions. That is what God is calling us to do. He desires to be alone with you, to be able to speak to you about what plans He has for you. He has great plans for every single one of us who are willing to listen and commit to His design
Just recently, a challenge really stirred my heart from Francis Chan in his book Crazy Love. In only the first section, Chan submits this challenge: Stop praying! Now, if you didn't keep reading any further, some would be offended by that statement. What do you mean stop praying? Is that not what I am supposed to do?
Well, most certainly yes. But sometimes our prayers can be filled with me, me, me, me, and... me. It can start to be all about ourselves, what WE want, OUR concerns. But have you ever had just a one-sided conversation with someone like that? Of course not! A conversation, which is what prayer is intended to be, is two ways. But our "modern" prayers have become one-way only. You see, Chan's challenge was not for us to stray from the practice of prayer. No, it was far from that! He was challenging the readers to stop PRAYING and listen for a response. Many say, "God has never spoken to me." or "God can't speak. That was only for people like Moses or Noah. Biblical people." I'm sure they have never thought for a moment about why He may have never spoken clearly to them. I don't mean an audible voice, but an inner conviction or reminder of something in their life that may need to be changed. After pondering the reason why this may have never happened, I am sure that many would come to the conclusion that they have never really listened for God to respond.
Jeremiah 42:6 (ESV) "Whether it is good or bad, we will obey the voice of theLord our God to whom we are sending you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the Lord our God.”
Once we hear the voice of God, we must also act on it. He has a great plan, as Jeremiah 29:11 states: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." These plans are perfect and according to His will. Once He speaks, we should not delay. We should act on it immediately and obey His call, whatever it may be.
Have we made time recently to be still? Completely still, admiring God? Being honest with ourselves, have we been too afraid to ask for an honest answer of what God is calling us to do? Often, we fear that the answer is to go full-time on the mission field. That is not always the case! People here in our own hometowns need to hear the great name of Jesus too. Have we laid our "YES" on the table to submit to whatever our Lord will have us do to further His kingdom? Once we submitted to Christ, this life we have was no longer our own. It was completely His. He is our LORD and MASTER, and of course that means He has complete control over our lives, whether we are ready to comply or not.
He should be of utmost importance-- constantly on our minds. He should be the first thing we think of in the morning, the first one we run to when times get tough. He wants to be first no matter your circumstances, but especially in trials. He KNOWS what we are going through. Jesus was once a human, too, remember? Our Savior faced this world and its deadly temptations head-on; He did it flawlessly. Without blemish or flaw. How incredible is that!
Regardless of where we are in life, our age, current economic or emotional circumstances, we are all called to be in awe and in constant worship of our Creator. Every day we should desire to find a time of seclusion. To do what we were commanded: "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10 ESV) Yes, we are called to be in constant worship. But also, we are called to be still.
Just think about that word for a moment. Still. Do we even know how to be still anymore? Is that even an English term? As Webster Dictionary defines stillness: being free from commotion, people, or sounds; remaining in place or at rest. Wow. Without distractions, noises, people, and commotions. That is what God is calling us to do. He desires to be alone with you, to be able to speak to you about what plans He has for you. He has great plans for every single one of us who are willing to listen and commit to His design
Just recently, a challenge really stirred my heart from Francis Chan in his book Crazy Love. In only the first section, Chan submits this challenge: Stop praying! Now, if you didn't keep reading any further, some would be offended by that statement. What do you mean stop praying? Is that not what I am supposed to do?
Well, most certainly yes. But sometimes our prayers can be filled with me, me, me, me, and... me. It can start to be all about ourselves, what WE want, OUR concerns. But have you ever had just a one-sided conversation with someone like that? Of course not! A conversation, which is what prayer is intended to be, is two ways. But our "modern" prayers have become one-way only. You see, Chan's challenge was not for us to stray from the practice of prayer. No, it was far from that! He was challenging the readers to stop PRAYING and listen for a response. Many say, "God has never spoken to me." or "God can't speak. That was only for people like Moses or Noah. Biblical people." I'm sure they have never thought for a moment about why He may have never spoken clearly to them. I don't mean an audible voice, but an inner conviction or reminder of something in their life that may need to be changed. After pondering the reason why this may have never happened, I am sure that many would come to the conclusion that they have never really listened for God to respond.
Jeremiah 42:6 (ESV) "Whether it is good or bad, we will obey the voice of theLord our God to whom we are sending you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the Lord our God.”
Once we hear the voice of God, we must also act on it. He has a great plan, as Jeremiah 29:11 states: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." These plans are perfect and according to His will. Once He speaks, we should not delay. We should act on it immediately and obey His call, whatever it may be.
Have we made time recently to be still? Completely still, admiring God? Being honest with ourselves, have we been too afraid to ask for an honest answer of what God is calling us to do? Often, we fear that the answer is to go full-time on the mission field. That is not always the case! People here in our own hometowns need to hear the great name of Jesus too. Have we laid our "YES" on the table to submit to whatever our Lord will have us do to further His kingdom? Once we submitted to Christ, this life we have was no longer our own. It was completely His. He is our LORD and MASTER, and of course that means He has complete control over our lives, whether we are ready to comply or not.
Just open up your heart to Him! Be amazed at His divine majesty, His awesome power! God has great plans for you. Won't you be a part of it?
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