February 10, 2018

Meet With God First

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

 – Luke 5:16

The text message alert went off. Again. I have increasingly learned to cringe at the sound. I wanted to ignore it but I was expecting someone to alert me before they stopped by to pick something up.

That wasn’t the text. Instead it was someone dear who was bored and ready to have a “conversation.” Oh, how I hate that.

I spend my days working. I know that shocks some people. They assume if you aren’t punching a time clock or sitting at a desk somewhere, then you aren’t really working. You’ve got plenty of time for them. You’ve got time to text and talk and run their errands.

I have tried to be accommodating. I learned with elderly parents that my days rarely go as I planned. (God means it when He says He will determine our steps!) But it’s not okay to assume that someone who is self-employed is always available to you.

A sweet lady who volunteers at the church office commented on this recently. She wanted to know if since I worked from home did I ever stopped working. I laughed and explained that I try to end about 8:30 each night. And, no, I don’t sleep late. I get up earlier than many friends who must drive to their jobs.

My one gift to myself is the quiet time I spend with God. It’s one of the first things I do every morning. It matters more than anything because it is what gives me the strength and guidance to make it through the day.

Sometimes it seems selfish to claim this time. I certainly have plenty of things to do. The list never ends and I never get caught up with it all. Then I remind myself that Jesus also took time to spend alone with the Father. If He needed it, how much more do it?

It’s so easy to get caught up in the busyness of life. There are always people demanding our attention. Sometimes we have to rearrange things. A baby must be cared for so we get up earlier or sit down when the baby naps. But when it’s important – and alone time with God is THE most important thing – then we find a way to make it happen.

You don’t agree? Do you find time to eat each day? Do you make time for watching television? Do you talk to your friends or go out to eat? We make time for the things we find valuable. How much do you value spending time with God?

For many of us there will never be enough hours in the day. There will always be people who think their needs or wishes should be at the top of our list of things to do. There will be people who steal our time, our peace, our joy.

I have drawn a line, invisible though it may be. I am no longer always available to people. Some aren’t too happy about it. It’s not my job in life to make them happy. I am nice but firm. My days are directed by God, not them.

I am so very grateful that God shows up to meet with me every morning. The creator of the universe actually wants to have a conversation with me. How awesome is that!

He wants to have a conversation with you too. What are you waiting for? Schedule the time and do it. You’ll find yourself with more energy, direction and joy as your day takes its course.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Meet God In The Silence

“My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” -- John 10:27

The other day a friend, along with her mother and aunt, decided to make a quick trip to a neighboring town. Another driver decided she could text on her cell phone and listen to music and drive all at the same time. The result almost brought devastation.

The young girl nearly sideswiped my friend’s car. The only reason she didn’t is that my friend is a very aware driver, saw the girl’s car coming into her lane, and left the road. The oblivious driver kept going.

My friend sped up and pulled along side the girl. Her head was bobbing to the music no doubt coming from the earbuds firmly planted in her ears. Her eyes were on the cell phone in front of her as her fingers worked the keys. Only fleetingly did she glance at the road.

This girl had no idea that her decision could easily have cost all four of them their lives. As it was, my friend’s mother and aunt were nervous wrecks. A year or so ago the two older women were driving to a doctor’s appointment when they were hit by a drunk driver. Both were badly hurt. This was yet another reminder of what can happen with no warning.

We all lead such distracted lives these days. When did we come to believe that we had to be available to everyone 24/7? When did we decide that music, or some other media source, had to be blaring in our ears all the time? What happened to solitude? What happened to silence?

I know that some of you have already brushed me aside as being “old” and “out of touch.” Perhaps a little of both. But mostly I am very, very aware that we can never truly hear God’s voice until we face Him in the silence.

Maybe that’s the point. Maybe we don’t want to hear what God has to say. Maybe we’re too focused on what we want, on what we need, on what we’ve decided to do, that we don’t think we need God. Until that moment when metal collides and suddenly God is all we want or need or desire.

But why do we have to wait until disaster strikes to seek His voice? Why must we behave like unrepentant children who have no need of a Savior? Because we all need Him. All it takes is one mistake, one disaster, one illness, to remind us of that fact.

So take a moment today to turn off the television, the iPod and the smart phone. Power off the laptop. Ask God to meet you wherever you are. Seek His wisdom in His Word and ask Him to speak to your heart. Then, as the silence wraps around you, wait patiently. Because God will always, always meet you wherever you are.