Sometimes the only one you need to gather around the table with is God.
Sometimes the only thing you need to nosh on is His Word.
Friday morning I did just that, I gathered at my coffee table before Him, as I have been trying to do my best of doing every morning, and I read my devotional and prayed. I had come to the table weary and desperate to hear from God. In the past, I have usually not had any problems hearing from God, but lately it was feeling like he had abandoned me in a sense. Why was I not hearing from Him? I was really in need of his guidance and direction. My devotional had been about Sanctification (becoming Holy and set apart by giving one's life completely over to God). I stopped to ponder and think about whether or not I have truly given my life completely over to God. I had to humbly admit to myself that I don't think I have. I still want to own parts of my life. I like to be in control; but I'm realizing time and time again, that when I let God have the reigns, He does a lot better of a job then I do. So right then I prayed and I told God that I wanted to grow closer with him, have a deeper relationship. I wanted to give Him every area of my life. I asked that He would sanctify me and I asked that he would show me where in my character I could grow.
I closed my eyes and I told God I was ready for whatever he was ready to tell me; I was listening. Right then, for the first time in a while, I heard His voice so clearly, saying "1st Thessalonians" and "patience." I haven't read that book in a long time so I had know idea what was in store for me, but as I read I felt the spirit convict me and show me the areas of life I have to let go and give over to God, and then I came to 1st Thessalonians 5:14 : "We urge you, brothers [and sisters], admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all." This stood out to me because I know I lose patience with all of them too easily. Then verses 23-24 stood out to me as well: "Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it."
God spoke directly to what I prayed about and I just sat there in awe of Him and tears of joy filled my eyes. I am not saying right then and there I was so great at being patient because God had spoken to me so clearly. In fact, that day I lost my patiece 3 times, and I could hear God's still, small voice whispering in my ear each time "patience." What I am saying, is that God speaks! We invite so many voices to our table, but His is the one we forget! Maybe, if we are honest with ourselves, there are times we intentionally leave Him off the guest list because we feel like we know how to do this life better on our own, or that He will have convicting words we NEED to hear but don't want to. But maybe you have been inviting Him to your table and into your whole life, and you haven't heard from Him yet. I want to encourage you to keep listening because His timing is perfect. He will speak at just the right time. "patience" : )
Invite God to gather with you at your table; He'll bring you something to nosh on through His word
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