ListenDaily – 12 May 2010: The hardest three minutes of the day.
Let us continue the 1-2-3 challenge. In case you're just tuning in, it's explained below.
I really appreciated hearing from fellow strugglers yesterday and today...
The third minute of the 1-2-3 says: "Close your Bible and be silent for 3 minutes. Listen for Him. He may come as a thought, a nudge, an idea. For a while, He may seem hard to hear. There is so much clutter in our minds! Keep listening."
"Close your Bible and be silent for 3 minutes."
I wake up to an alarm clock. I don't use, but have the options of alarms on my cell phone and a clock radio.
Alarming!
In my bedroom, aside from the alarms, are a television and a CD/radio player.
In the kitchen is my wife's IPOD adapter that plays music.
I can't tell you how many audio/video appliances are in the kids' rooms.
The living room houses a TV, a computer with speakers, another radio - not to mention the piano.
The hallways and bathrooms are relatively audio free -- well, I do sing in the shower, too loudly according to my kids.
Our vehicles each have radio/CD players, plus MP3 player adapters.
"Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)
Friends, we have to be intentional about stillness. Many people have said how hard it is to be quiet for three minutes. And while I get it, part of me wants to say...it's only three minutes! And if we can't be quiet, how can we hear? Have you ever tried to speak to a child who wouldn't sit still and pay attention? If we can't be quiet (for three minutes?), aren't we being that child?
It takes work, but oh my, it is well worth it.
Questions:
1. Is it difficult for you to "be still" for three minutes?
2. Is that an obstacle to hearing?
3. What is your greatest need and biggest hurdle in this area?
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May we persevere. Jim.
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God,
not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do.
Expect unexpected things, above all that we ask or think.
Each time, before you Intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory.
Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people.
Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things!"
Andrew Murray
"If we have not quiet in our minds, outward comfort will do no more for us than a glass slipper on a gouty foot."
John Bunyan
"All the troubles of life come upon us because we refuse to sit quietly for a while each day in our rooms."
Blaise Pascal
THE 1-2-3 CHALLENGE:
Starting today, and then first thing tomorrow morning, I challenge you to listen to God, with this five minute exercise:
1) Do this as soon as you wake up. Set your clock a few minutes early if that is what you need to get up ahead of the household noise. Lay your Bible by your bed as a reminder.
2) Go to the quietest place in your house, outside, your kitchen, your bathroom...wherever.
3) Pray for 1 minute that God would speak to you. Audibly, out loud, ask Him to remove Satan from your presence for this time. Ask Him to remove distractions and mental clutter. During this time, do not ask Him for anything else, do not thank Him for anything else, do not pray for anyone else (but please find another prayer time for all these things).
4) Open your Bible and read for 2 minutes. This is God talking to you through His Word. Listen to Him.
5) Close your Bible and be silent for 3 minutes. Listen for Him. He may come as a thought, a nudge, an idea. For a while, He may seem hard to hear. There is so much clutter in our minds! Keep listening.
This may seem difficult. You will hear every creaking tree branch. You will hear every barking dog. But like Elijah's time in the cave, God is not in the tree branch, God is not in the dog. Persevere. Listen for the gentle whisper
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