Sitting and listening has become a favorite pastime for me. This is a miracle in and of itself because I love to talk and interact with people. It is very, very hard for me to sit still and be quiet. Several years ago I had lunch with a new friend and they told me they actually “got energized” from being by themselves. I gave this much thought and realized that was what I had been doing for the past six years…spending long periods of time every day by myself with God…even if that meant getting up very, very early in the morning…or staying up late some nights.
It not only energized me, but it RENEWED me and gave me NEW Vision. It became a significant place of refuge! The definition of refuge is a shelter or protection from danger or trouble, a place that provides a shield! I’ve had to discipline myself to sit with God by myself…seeking….sitting still…staying very quiet. Blocking out the world…which means family, dogs, cell phones, emails, tv…anything that distracts. A true UNPLUGGING. For most things getting energy means plugging in.
But as humans we have to UNPLUG and get very still….
….to be FILLED with HOLY Energy and Holy Direction.
Whatever you have to do to make it happen…get unplugged.
If you truly want to revive yourself and enjoy the favor of God as a shield then believe and live the Scripture found in Psalms 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God…” And Psalms 5:11-12, “But let all who take REFUGE in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Surely Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” You have to unplug and BE STILL!
I have realized when you are the one talking, you are not listening and you are certainly not learning anything. In order to become a “great listener” you have to learn to “be still” and “be silent,” especially to discern the voice of God in your life as opposed to my/your own flesh and the influence of others.
I love to study the life of David and his words found in Psalms. He obviously was in a time of praying to God and in distress when he wrote Psalm 4:3-4, “Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds. Search your hearts and BE SILENT. Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord.”
If I/we call ourselves Christians and believe God’s Word, then take a moment to just stop and think about Proverbs 16:9, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” And combine it with Ephesians 3:20, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to his power that is at work within us.”
Those two scriptures are true and they have helped me to…BIG time establish the DISCIPLINE…to BE STILL and not JUST know that God is God, but to allow HIM to direct my path each and every day. I found that many days prior to solidifying this discipline, I missed it, the daily directing. I don’t spend time crying over missed opportunities and past mistakes confessed to a Holy God, but it has propelled me to live the “rest of my days differently.” To seek His direction, His guidance, even in the “simplest of things”.
Often times it does require me/you to “lean NOT on your own understanding” and in “all YOUR ways acknowledge Him.” Trusting “HE will make your paths straight”. Having an understanding now that a “straight path” doesn’t mean smooth and it may require you to negotiate and climb mountains and walk through valleys.
I encourage you today with this: get alone…get still…get silent before a HOLY God. Day in and day out throwing open His Word and your heart to HIS WILL…not yours! YOU WILL receive HOLY ENERGY that comes from UNPLUGGING to the world…and Plugging into HIM.