Quiet Moments in the Midst of Chaos
Spiritual Disciplines 7
My most profound moments with God have occurred in silence. It is the place that speaks volumes in the heart without the movement of lips or the passage of air through the vocal cords.
“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
Our God is a jealous God (Deuteronomy 6:15) and He wants first place in our hearts. His is the still small voice that can only be heard in the silence. He will not put on a big show in competition with the many demands for our attention. Because He has given us free will, He allows us to make our own decisions.
Each day we get to choose where we go, what we say and what we do. Our choices reflect our priorities. So, stop right now. Look at your life and take a few moments to identify the activities that consume most of your time.
What does your life revolve around?
Can you see what your top three priorities are?
Are you comfortable with them?
Will they help you become the best you can be?
Is your relationship with God on your list?
So far in our discussions on spiritual disciplines, we looked at the foundational steps in our walk with Christ, repentance and baptism. While our salvation is secured by our faith, the top three priorities on our list reveals what really matters most in our hearts. So, again I ask: Is God and your relationship with Him on that list?
The transformation process from the broken hurting person we were when we came to Jesus to being the fully whole and healed person Jesus tells us we are cannot be achieved by merely going to church once a week.
A casual acquaintance with God is not sufficient to support you through the storms of life that will come.
The practice of spiritual disciplines is necessary to fuel our growth in Christ-likeness as is a personal relationship with Jesus. Now I know that people don't like the word "discipline." Most people work harder at avoiding discipline than if they just did the task to begin with.
But all spiritual disciplines play a role in the transformation of a broken soul to a whole one; from sickness to health. Your journey begins and ends and is sustained by your practice of the spiritual disciplines. Notice I said practice. These things do not come naturally to us. Like fine art or music, appreciation for their strength and majesty is acquired through personal experience.
Silence and solitude is our next discipline to study. It is not easy to sit still and silent with the Creator of the universe at first but over time and with practice it becomes vital to every area of your life.
Making time to be alone with God requires more than good intentions. It requires purposeful choices and diligent follow through. Quiet time with God does not just happen naturally, unless of course you live in a convent or monastery (which is really a purposeful choice).
There is unsearchable power and peace in the presence of the Lord our God but you will never experience it unless you spend some
time alone with Him.
Be still and know that He is God.
Heidirn
Each day we get to choose where we go, what we say and what we do. Our choices reflect our priorities. So, stop right now. Look at your life and take a few moments to identify the activities that consume most of your time.
What does your life revolve around?
Can you see what your top three priorities are?
Are you comfortable with them?
Will they help you become the best you can be?
Is your relationship with God on your list?
So far in our discussions on spiritual disciplines, we looked at the foundational steps in our walk with Christ, repentance and baptism. While our salvation is secured by our faith, the top three priorities on our list reveals what really matters most in our hearts. So, again I ask: Is God and your relationship with Him on that list?
The transformation process from the broken hurting person we were when we came to Jesus to being the fully whole and healed person Jesus tells us we are cannot be achieved by merely going to church once a week.
A casual acquaintance with God is not sufficient to support you through the storms of life that will come.
The practice of spiritual disciplines is necessary to fuel our growth in Christ-likeness as is a personal relationship with Jesus. Now I know that people don't like the word "discipline." Most people work harder at avoiding discipline than if they just did the task to begin with.
But all spiritual disciplines play a role in the transformation of a broken soul to a whole one; from sickness to health. Your journey begins and ends and is sustained by your practice of the spiritual disciplines. Notice I said practice. These things do not come naturally to us. Like fine art or music, appreciation for their strength and majesty is acquired through personal experience.
Silence and solitude is our next discipline to study. It is not easy to sit still and silent with the Creator of the universe at first but over time and with practice it becomes vital to every area of your life.
Making time to be alone with God requires more than good intentions. It requires purposeful choices and diligent follow through. Quiet time with God does not just happen naturally, unless of course you live in a convent or monastery (which is really a purposeful choice).
There is unsearchable power and peace in the presence of the Lord our God but you will never experience it unless you spend some
time alone with Him.
Be still and know that He is God.
Heidirn
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