Whatisyourfocus?
Posted in direction, Misti's Posts 0 comments
Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am. ” And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”“ My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel! ” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” --1 Samuel 3: 4-10
"Life is hectic." "Time flies." "Some days I meet myself coming and going." "I can't believe another year has already gone by!" Each of us has heard (and maybe said) some of these phrases used to describe how quickly minutes, hours and days slip by us. And yet, sometimes we catch ourselves wishing seasons of our lives away, hoping for a simpler, less activity-filled time.
The true disadvantage to allowing ourselves to fall into this type of lifestyle is on our relationship with God. The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. --1 Kings 19: 11-13 The Lord is not found in the flurry of activity we engage in. He is in the quiet. If we don't slow down and focus, we miss Him.
In 7 years working with students, I have seen evidence that many teenagers do not know how to be quiet. Homework is completed while watching TV. Meetings are interrupted by text conversations. Music from iPods permeates every activity, including sleeping. How are we supposed to hear God's whisper with all that noise around us?
Hearing God is only the first step. Recognizing His call requires practice and discernment. Samuel didn't understand that the Lord was speaking to Him. He had nothing to compare to his experience, so he reacted as a child would--quickly jumping to an incorrect conclusion. As growing Christians, we should hold a higher standard in our evaluation. We need to slow down and tune in to God. Not only will it help us hear His word, becoming focused gives us wisdom and understanding of His message.
"Life is hectic." "Time flies." "Some days I meet myself coming and going." "I can't believe another year has already gone by!" Each of us has heard (and maybe said) some of these phrases used to describe how quickly minutes, hours and days slip by us. And yet, sometimes we catch ourselves wishing seasons of our lives away, hoping for a simpler, less activity-filled time.
The true disadvantage to allowing ourselves to fall into this type of lifestyle is on our relationship with God. The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. --1 Kings 19: 11-13 The Lord is not found in the flurry of activity we engage in. He is in the quiet. If we don't slow down and focus, we miss Him.
In 7 years working with students, I have seen evidence that many teenagers do not know how to be quiet. Homework is completed while watching TV. Meetings are interrupted by text conversations. Music from iPods permeates every activity, including sleeping. How are we supposed to hear God's whisper with all that noise around us?
Hearing God is only the first step. Recognizing His call requires practice and discernment. Samuel didn't understand that the Lord was speaking to Him. He had nothing to compare to his experience, so he reacted as a child would--quickly jumping to an incorrect conclusion. As growing Christians, we should hold a higher standard in our evaluation. We need to slow down and tune in to God. Not only will it help us hear His word, becoming focused gives us wisdom and understanding of His message.
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