As a Christ-Follower, I've heard the words "Devotions" or "Quiet Time" used for years. They conju up some monastic images of four AM awakenins, where, the devotee mystically melds with the mind of the Divine, receiving revelation of life changing events. They rise to face the day, a face brighter than the sunrise itself. All who encounter them cannot stand before their powerful radiance.Sorry, I think, I'm recalling a Sunday School poster I saw somewhere, ... years ago, ... about 1956. But such were the "personal time with God" impressions I inheritted from older people growing up in my religious background.
MY reality ... I spend more time talking AT God the Deity than listening to Daddy-God, the Father.
In his book, Walking With God, John Eldredge said, "I assume that an intimate, conversational walk with God is available, and is meant to be normal." To make matters worse he continues, "I'll push that a step further. I assume that if you don't find that kind of relationship with God, your spiritual life will be stunted. And that will handicap the rest of your life." [Walking With God, (pg 7) John Eldredge, ©2008 Thomas Nelson]
So, as a knee-jerk reaction, what do I do?
Get a tape series on prayer?
Attend a conference on how to pray?
Get up an hour earlier, put on a pot of coffee, and determine to pray for the whole hour?
In his book, Walking With God, John Eldredge said, "I assume that an intimate, conversational walk with God is available, and is meant to be normal." To make matters worse he continues, "I'll push that a step further. I assume that if you don't find that kind of relationship with God, your spiritual life will be stunted. And that will handicap the rest of your life." [Walking With God, (pg 7) John Eldredge, ©2008 Thomas Nelson]
So, as a knee-jerk reaction, what do I do?
Get a tape series on prayer?
Attend a conference on how to pray?
Get up an hour earlier, put on a pot of coffee, and determine to pray for the whole hour?
Buy a new book from Charles Swindoll, Max Lucado, or John Eldredge on prayer?
None of these suggestions are bad, but somehow intimacy is being missed by something we,…I…was never taught by spiritual mentors.
... HOW to LISTEN!
In the Old Testament book of I Samuel, a young boy is wakened in the middle of the night by a voice calling his name. Supposing it to be his mentor, Samuel goes to the aged Eli, who,..the second time it happens, realizes it's God rousing his student. When Samuel says, "Speak, God, I'm ready to listen,"…God announces He is getting ready to rock the nation and get their attention.
The problem with listening?
It requires silence...
... And silence is LOUD!
Several years ago, as an Audio and Radio Production Instructor, I required my class to shut their eyes, for a period of 20 to 40 seconds silence, then have them guess how much time had passed. On average...unless they had previous broadcast experience...most would over-guess the silence.
Our society is manic to keep us from having to experiencing silence. Our phones no longer only make phone calls; they surf the net, text and function as MP3 players so we NEVER have to think. If a child ISN'T A.D.D. or A.D.H.D, his peers can train him to be with the right phone or IPOD.
The Christian community is a close second. Christian radio 24 hours a day. (and I am an ex-radio and Christian TV worker) Christian TV Networks. The newest Christian self-help tape series. IPOD download sermons series. All keep us busy thinking…but not LISTENING.
Here's where I'm going to get in hot water from a lot of traditional teachers.
Several years ago, as an Audio and Radio Production Instructor, I required my class to shut their eyes, for a period of 20 to 40 seconds silence, then have them guess how much time had passed. On average...unless they had previous broadcast experience...most would over-guess the silence.
Our society is manic to keep us from having to experiencing silence. Our phones no longer only make phone calls; they surf the net, text and function as MP3 players so we NEVER have to think. If a child ISN'T A.D.D. or A.D.H.D, his peers can train him to be with the right phone or IPOD.The Christian community is a close second. Christian radio 24 hours a day. (and I am an ex-radio and Christian TV worker) Christian TV Networks. The newest Christian self-help tape series. IPOD download sermons series. All keep us busy thinking…but not LISTENING.
Here's where I'm going to get in hot water from a lot of traditional teachers.
TRADITION teaches: God Speaks only...
1) Through His Word: The Scripture --"Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us." (Message Bible)
1) Through His Word: The Scripture --"Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us." (Message Bible)
That's it. Revelation done! All the ears that could hear from the Divine have written it down. Case closed.
2) Through Godly People: They have an impression or feeling how God is moving today.
3) Through Circumstances: This appears or seems to be how God is working. A bit of a guessing game.
Unfortunately, most TRADITIONAL believiers seem to reverse the order...they look to circumstances first to guide them, then spiritual wisdom, finally Scriptural direction. It's as if they fear the Book will be a Divine Kill-Joy to their plans when they open it first.However, the older I get, the less intimidated I am by silence. The man I find there is someone I am learning to be comfortable with. And I am learning Tradition's TEACHINGS may not always square with Scripture.
If I base my decisions on circumstances and the council of people, I may have missed the wisdom of Scriptures like:
2 Chronicles 15:2
"God will stick with you as long as you stick with him. If you look for him he will let himself be found;" (The Message)
James 4:8 "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." (NKJ)
"Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time." (The Message)
The "drawing near" intimates a movement on my part, rather than His part. He is the constant…I am the one in flux. He is the Rock; I'm the one driven by the life's of cacophony sound. He is the Lighthouse; I am the ship tossed by the tyranny of the urgent. And yet, there are times, I must stop. "…He'll be there in no time."
1 Kings 19:11-12 tells about the climactic end of an emotional draining experience the prophet Elijah had after finding himself on the run, his face on Wanted Posters, a price on his head. After letting him have a first-class pity party, Daddy-God gave Elijah (and all of us) an insight on how to listen for His voice in the midst of turmoil. "...but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice."
Those are the times for short prayers.
No lists.
No requests.
Just silence.
As your spirit waits… … for that still … small … Voice.
The Voice that fills your spirit with peace.
With several words.
Or one word.
1 Kings 19:11-12 tells about the climactic end of an emotional draining experience the prophet Elijah had after finding himself on the run, his face on Wanted Posters, a price on his head. After letting him have a first-class pity party, Daddy-God gave Elijah (and all of us) an insight on how to listen for His voice in the midst of turmoil. "...but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice."
Those are the times for short prayers.
No lists.
No requests.
Just silence.
As your spirit waits… … for that still … small … Voice.
The Voice that fills your spirit with peace.
With several words.
Or one word.
Spoken just for you.
Of direction … correction … confirmation … information … revelation.
No secret formula.
Just practice.
3 comments:
Brantley,
I'm still keeping up with you man! Great blog entry. We constantly teach, "do more, do more," until we're blue in the face when maybe we should step back for a second and listen. Love your words of wisdom dude.
-Jeff Turner
p.s. I think you were referencing James 4:8, not Matthew 4:8. regardless, great post.
I am refreshed by your comments, Jeff. And I wonder how many of the Doer's rushed by, frustrated by the simplicity, or the complexity of the TIME it took to listen. To the Christian wounded and angry, the driven and image matainers, speed bumps are life's irritations (IE. Satan's attacks) to be rebuked, rebuffed, and remaned to the pits of hell. Because they are so use to functioning in the soulish realm (the emotional and human reasoning), what the Father may be trying to accomplish in their lives is overshadowed by their woundedness and life's agreements with the scraps outside of the Spirit's banquet.
Even our attempts at reading the Scripture itself is futile with out the Living Spirit to bring it to life. We must be STILL for that "still small voice." HIS not OURS.
James 4:8
NOTED and corrected!
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