I arose early this morning. This week that has been tough for me to do. I am spending a week on Eastern Time so rising at 6am here is 5am on my clock (which is still on Central Time). Yet, God gave discipline to go to be early and to awake refreshed. My plan was simple - go for a jog and prayer, come back for a time in the Scripture.
Overulled - thunderstorm booms outside the doors...what is a short fat guy to do. Well, I ran up and down the halls of the conference center (quietly I might add), did a bunch of push ups and sit ups...even some one legged squats on the stairs in the stair well.
Then I paused - thought about my life, my family, thanked God for my wife, and again my mind wandered back to decisions. Calling, direction - these have dominated my heart for many days. Yet, these days it has been a more peaceful meditation, though many days I just wished I had a perfect road map for my life rather than the lamp for my feet (Psalm 119:105). I confess this often as I know our good God gives, as Jim Elliot once said, enough for each day. So I am content this morning.
I have been wondering why Western culture flees from silence. We like to be alone...so much that we put on the headphones, place literal DVD cinemas in our homes, walk by ourselves, and many days go to sleep alone at night. Perhaps it is in the silence that we meet our fears. Our empty thoughts, the bigger questions of life which scream for answers. Perhaps we may have to face our demons, face our frackered and dare I say sinful nature. Perhaps there we would have to face our thoughts, empty thoughts without God. So we pump the tunes, keep on the televisions, go to more movies.
Psalm 10:4 - In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, "There is no God." Cast aside that thought... Psalm 13:2 - How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? Cast aside that thought...Turn then your thoughts towards God, receive his mercy, replace the fear, the anxiety, the anger with wonderful thoughts:
1O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
2You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.
3You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.
4Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
5You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.
6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Psalm 139:1-5
Run no more, turn and receive grace and mercy - fear not God's invasion of your inner life. Fear not, his thoughts. His love is expressed in a broken body and spilled blood. Infinite love to all who will call on him. Even now. Now is an acceptable time...now is always good.
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2You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.
3You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.
4Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
5You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.
6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Psalm 139:1-5