"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge." Psalm 46:10-11 (NKJV)
What do you think is the most important aspect of a relational walk with Jesus Christ? Is it prayer? Or maybe fasting? Is it reading the Word of God and meditating on it's meaning for our lives? Is it radiating Jesus' light over all the darkness in the world? I think the Bible is pretty clear that all of these things are important to maintaining the closeness that Jesus wants with us daily. But sometimes, for me, the most important aspect is the part I skip over without even realizing it.
After last week's post, a trusted friend came to me and said "the post was good, but for people like me who don't like to read, it was a little wordy, and I got lost toward the end." He was right. I've since removed a paragraph that was simply me taking the opportunity to vent, since it was really just a filler anyway, and unnecessary to the point. But I started thinking about how often I do that with God. How often do my words get in the way of His work in me?
One of the most difficult things for me in any part of my life is being silent and letting the plan unfold. So why wouldn't that be an issue in my relationship with God? I can always formulate the right words to say in prayer, and I know enough scripture to work my way through my "quiet time," but I rarely spend any time actually being quiet. Time spent silently listening for God's still, small response. God often has to yell at me for me to hear Him. And usually in the storm that I could have avoided if I'd only listened for His voice.
When God revealed Himself to Elijah in I Kings 19, He didn't do so in the powerful noise that was all around the cave. Not in the great, strong wind that tore into the mountains. Not in the earthquake that followed. Not even in the fire that followed the earthquake. No. He showed up in a still small voice after the storm. God had the power to reveal Himself in all of the mighty around Elijah, yet is was the calmness that brought forth His voice.
This world is noisy. We know from recent activity, there is chaos and destruction everywhere. There will always be evil that will seek to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10), but we know that our God will be exalted above all of it, above the nations, above the earth. We want Him to reveal Himself, but we don't take the time to just be still, and let Him move. I take heart in all that has happened that my God still reigns supreme, and that He still has a plan for this world, but when is it time to be still and simply know that He is God (Psalm 46). I, for one, need to spend more time listening for Him and less time making noise.
God in Heaven, thank You for never leaving or forsaking us. Thank You that You still move on behalf of Your people. Be with the families around the world who have lost loved ones over the past few weeks, and those who have been injured in the tragedies that have swept the globe. Provide the miraculous comfort, strength and healing that can only come from You. Help us to remember that it's often the calmness that brings Your voice, and help us to listen, that in that stillness we will know that You are God. In Jesus' gracious name, Amen.
What do you think is the most important aspect of a relational walk with Jesus Christ? Is it prayer? Or maybe fasting? Is it reading the Word of God and meditating on it's meaning for our lives? Is it radiating Jesus' light over all the darkness in the world? I think the Bible is pretty clear that all of these things are important to maintaining the closeness that Jesus wants with us daily. But sometimes, for me, the most important aspect is the part I skip over without even realizing it.
After last week's post, a trusted friend came to me and said "the post was good, but for people like me who don't like to read, it was a little wordy, and I got lost toward the end." He was right. I've since removed a paragraph that was simply me taking the opportunity to vent, since it was really just a filler anyway, and unnecessary to the point. But I started thinking about how often I do that with God. How often do my words get in the way of His work in me?
One of the most difficult things for me in any part of my life is being silent and letting the plan unfold. So why wouldn't that be an issue in my relationship with God? I can always formulate the right words to say in prayer, and I know enough scripture to work my way through my "quiet time," but I rarely spend any time actually being quiet. Time spent silently listening for God's still, small response. God often has to yell at me for me to hear Him. And usually in the storm that I could have avoided if I'd only listened for His voice.
When God revealed Himself to Elijah in I Kings 19, He didn't do so in the powerful noise that was all around the cave. Not in the great, strong wind that tore into the mountains. Not in the earthquake that followed. Not even in the fire that followed the earthquake. No. He showed up in a still small voice after the storm. God had the power to reveal Himself in all of the mighty around Elijah, yet is was the calmness that brought forth His voice.
This world is noisy. We know from recent activity, there is chaos and destruction everywhere. There will always be evil that will seek to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10), but we know that our God will be exalted above all of it, above the nations, above the earth. We want Him to reveal Himself, but we don't take the time to just be still, and let Him move. I take heart in all that has happened that my God still reigns supreme, and that He still has a plan for this world, but when is it time to be still and simply know that He is God (Psalm 46). I, for one, need to spend more time listening for Him and less time making noise.
God in Heaven, thank You for never leaving or forsaking us. Thank You that You still move on behalf of Your people. Be with the families around the world who have lost loved ones over the past few weeks, and those who have been injured in the tragedies that have swept the globe. Provide the miraculous comfort, strength and healing that can only come from You. Help us to remember that it's often the calmness that brings Your voice, and help us to listen, that in that stillness we will know that You are God. In Jesus' gracious name, Amen.
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