-Jesus Calling
I am going to be very transparent and honest in this post. And before I begin I want to clarify that I am not writing it to be given the ok that my actions are normal, or receive sympathy. I am writing it because the subject has been on my heart and believe God has a purpose for me sharing it. Even if I'm not sure what that purpose is yet.
I have a hard time stopping my day, either at the beginning or end, and spending time reading the bible and spending quiet time with God. When I make the sacrifice I never regret it. God always meets me right where I am at, even if some days he is silent--I still feel that my time was worth it. I pray constantly, read the bible regularly (never at a specific time) but I have felt for awhile that God wants me to set aside a specific time and give that to him daily. Not haphazardly give my time when I get the time. His presence is very clear in my life, but I really struggle with carving out time and really getting into the book/praying and doing nothing else. I usually pray on my way to work, pray in class, pray with my Mom, pray on the way home, but rarely sit and just focus on praying. My mind is preoccupied with other things while praying. God has been talking to me for awhile about setting that time aside.
This year, one of my resolutions was to read through the bible. Well, it is August and I am almost through II Samuel. If I don't get going soon, I am going to fail! (And I hate not completing a resolution!)
A few "excuses" that I have (and I put excuses in quotes because no excuse is a good one in this case) are, I can't remember every story. As a historian, I feel like I need to memorize and it is just overwhelming. Another "excuse" is that I want to memorize all the important scriptures I come across....have you read the bible?! Almost every chapter has an amazing scripture!
And I guess what I am coming to is that within the bible reading time I desire to spend time alone with God. I cannot even fathom why the Creator of the Universe would desire to spend time with me, or that he waits on me and for me to come to Him. I can't even comprehend it. What I do know is that when I stop my day and read the bible and just sit quietly he always shows up. Regardless of the time of day, or how I am feeling, He is there. How, after I stop and spend time with Him and in His word the blessings spring forth. His gentle nudge each time to stop is sometimes ignored, and on those days I always regret it, for when I do stop and spend time with our King my joy is always overflowing, my peace is restored, my ability to love is deepened, my energy is renewed. I wonder in those moments why it took me so long to stop, and I realize that the devil who waits like a roaring lion is the one who tries to steal that joy away.
On Monday a new school year will begin and I have decided to wake up each day 30 minutes early. I am vowing to set my alarm, turn on my light, sit up in bed, and spend time with my savior each morning before my feet even touch the ground. I will not allow satan to have any part in deciding if I spend time with my God or not and I WILL get through that bible this year! I want satan to be scared when I awake.
I know it is going to be tough at first, but oh the reward. For just one moment in the presence of my Lord is worth more to me than anything.
If you have a prayer request, please let me know. I'd love to pray for you each morning. Also, consider joining me in my challenge. Actually is more than a challenge, it is destiny! Oh how I long to do everything I was called to do while here on this earth, oh how I long to hear, "good job faithful servant."
If you want to join me, let me know, we can keep each other accountable.
****Update--Day two and I'm going strong! I serve a mighty God!
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