We live in a culture that has become obsessed with its own voice. Most people seem to think they must be heard above everyone else. Each valuing his opinion over another’s. It seems all the world believes they are all to be influencers…it’s getting insane. It’s definitely out of control. In the world of all this noise and comparison, I wonder…
Sure, we love hearing God’s voice…but…do we love it more than our own?
We must return to the posture of desperation for His voice. His presence. His heart.
He’s calling us to begin to practice quiet. Stopping the whirl in our minds and simply pulling back into the silent place. We’ve read, “Be still and know that I am God.”, but do we even know how to do that anymore?
Being still is something we must practice. Learning to lay down the phone, turn off the T.V., step outside and breathe the fresh air…and listen.
While learning to listen…we can rediscover another lost art…
Lingering. We are always so busy that we don’t know much about how to tarry. I have learned that when I slow down and linger…I find a great peace. Peace is found in lingering. If the enemy can keep you spinning and moving from one task to another, there is no time to hear. There is no time to accurately feel. There is no time to access yourself and others. It takes away the opportunity for God to move. Whether that task is good or bad, is irrelevant, when we are constantly spinning to and fro…we become easy prey for the enemy. We also become more inclined to offense and misunderstanding.
I challenge each of you to practice the art of stillness and lingering this week. I am 100% positive your life will change if you do. Your peace will increase and so will the quality of your decisions.
Don’t be afraid if it feels awkward at first. Don’t be upset if you find that when you slow down, it takes time for your mind to stop spinning. Just allow for the unwind. It’s so worth it.
God, I surrender to Your timetable. Help me to learn the art of slowing down. Teach me how to listen. I long to hear Your voice, to know You better, and to walk in peace. Open my eyes to see You all around me. Open my ears to hear You more clearly. Open my heart to receive You more deeply. You are my God. I adore You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Come closer Lord, I hear You rustling in the leaves Draw nearer Lord, come and rest on me Teach me Lord, until I’m more like You Hold me close, oh how I need You.
The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning. The voice of the Lord shakes the desert; the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in His temple all cry, “Glory!”. The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever. The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace. Psalm 29:3-11
365 Days in the Presence 