Originally published Friday, 25 September 2015.
Have you ever watched a movie in fast forward? Sometimes that is how I live my life. People are running like maniacs, cars are moving at high-speed chase speeds, words are mouthed wildly but not heard and people pass by each other, like ghosts in the night.
It's a hectic place, a place full of to-do's, will-do's and should do's.
It's doesn't run at a sit-down pace; it's more of a you-better move-it-along place.
I can't even tell you why I have made it into such a race - other than, that is my normal pace.
Yet, I am noticing, a busy heart,
doesn't sit down so well with a still God.
Have you ever noticed this?
When our eyes are so busy watching the mayhem, the commotion, the movement, the loudness, the TV, the schedule, the hours, the children, the laundry, the job and the bills the small whispers from God tend to go, like a paper airplane right over our head. They were sent, they were apparent, but we were so in our own moment - we missed them - we missed him.
We can't hear.
We don't seek.
We won't find.
If we do, it is often ushered away by lunchtime.
Mt:7:7: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Is someone at that door? I will complete this dishwasher job and then see who it was?
I am struck by the idea that we can't find what we never looked for.
We can't be touched by what frantic days block us from seeing.
We can't be changed if we are running so fast gentle nudges of God fly by with the wind.
Sure, we think, "If we are in the Word, we will be of the Word." Yes, but not always. Our mind may hold fast in the morning hour, but completely lose touch by lunch hour. The word sits on fresh soil only to be washed away by the mayhem of problems later. Our feet stand on the rock, only to move to quicksand at days end.
How do we get past this cycle of distraction,
this wheel that has no end,
this tiring race of life?
3 Ways:
1. We follow this equation: Every minute + Every day = God First (always)
If we seek God above all, all will be added onto us. Mt. 6:33
If every day is founded and set "in belief", imagine what the structures of our day might look like?
2. We see God above iPhones, iPads, iBooks, me, myself and I.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jer. 29:13
If we truly open our eyes, God will stagger us with a vision of him.
3. We begin to see that not knowing or understanding does not equal:
- not having it together
- not having a way out
- not being smart
- not having a plan.
Not knowing = the way TO a straight path.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Prov. 3:5-6
When we realize we don't understand, we are getting to the beginning of wisdom.
The posture of our heart, will predict the progress of our day. It will determine how much of Savior we funnel into our days.
Let's funnel even more.
As we open the door of our heart in bigger ways to these 5 R's,
we will create more space for our big God to pass through:
1. Release. Let go to find he grabs hold. God is never a catch and release type, every time he catches and keeps. He understands that the best fisherman love to take home their catch.
2. Reliance. Choose to walk in humility instead of futility. Step over the cliff of safety, God will catch you.
3. Renewal. Ask, seek, knock (repeat). Then, find.
4. Reality. God is the only truth, not your perception of the world, not your summations, not others predictions. Soak in his presence, his life, and his love.
5. Recognition. Praise him in the sanctuary, which is your heart. Praise him continually.
Break through the white noise of these steps, breakthrough the normalcy, breakthrough the tendency to say, "I know those already." The truth is - that mentality is what keeps you back - from him.
Think of these words and how they apply afresh to your day.
Then, when we breakthrough arrogance, busyness and complacency, we will find our first love, Jesus.
Then, we can offer our whole self for the one who already did.
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